i7io9  loom  sioi  I 


Xjpjqn  jaads-'^JPu'U'^s  ie3i5oiod4j_  uoi^ouu 


J7}-J- 


Itheological.  semina: 

J,  Princeton,  N.  J. 


BV    4844    .M67    1833 


A  mother's   first   thought 


''MOTHER'S 


FIRST   THOUGHTS. 


BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF 

*'FAITH'S    TELESCOPE." 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBUSHED  BY  KEY  &  BIDDLE, 

Minor-street. 

1S33. 


R.  &  C.  S.  WOOD,  PRINTERS,  NEW-YORK. 


PREFACE. 


Among  all  the  wonderful  qualities  of  earth's 
highest  wonder,  the  Bible,  its  astonishing 
adaptation  to  all  classes  and  all  circum- 
stances of  its  searchers  is  assuredly  not  the 
least.  Who  ever  humbly  looked  into  its 
sacred  pages  for  a  "  word  in  season,"  and 
found  it  not?  The  wealthy  and  the  indi- 
gent, the  old  and  the  young,  the  prosperous 
and  the  sorrowing,  have  each  their  varied 
treasure,  each  their  "  apple  of  gold  in  this 
net-wwk  of  silver," — their  word  fitly  spoken* 
of  rebuke  or  of  warning,  of  consolation  or 
instruction,  aa  they  severally  require  them. 


IV  PREFACE. 

High  and  low,  male  and  female,  bond  and 
free,  find  depicted  on  this  great  map  of 
human  duty,  the  minutest  windings  of  their 
appointed  course.  And  for  special  need, 
what  special  provision  has  been  made! — 
For  the  sinking  heart  of  the  bereaved,  how 
Taried,  how  strong,  how  abundant  the 
resources  of  Divine  consolation ;  for  the 
wearied  and  fainting,  what  promises  of  rest ; 
for  the  persecuted  and  perplexed,  what  as- 
surances of  encouragement ;  for  the  sick  in 
body,  what  upholding  ;  for  the  sick  in  spirit, 
what  healing  ?  Verily,  we  may  say  in  this, 
as  in  another  sense,  "  Thy  commandment 
is  exceeding  broad :  therefore  thy  servant 
loveth  it." 

The  aim  of  the  following  pages  has  been 
to  develope,  of  this  gracious  fulness  in  the 
oracles  of  God,  some  meditations  more  espe- 
cially suitable  to  Mothers,  both  as  such, 
and  more  particularly  in  their  character  of 
professing  Christians.  At  a  period  when 
the  heart  is  excited  by  new  and  pure  emo- 


PREFACE.  V 

tions;  when  gratitude  to  a  merciful  Pre- 
server is  usually  experienced  in  a  very  high 
degree ;  when  the  world  is  necessarily 
much  shut  out,  and  the  nearness  of  eternity, 
often  borne  in  powerfully  on  the  soul  by  the 
possibihty,  if  not  the  certainty  of  peril; — 
it  does  not  appear  unreasonable  to  hope 
that  the  "still  small  voice"  of  heavenly 
truth,  will  be  more  readily  hstened  to  than 
at  other  times.  And  though  it  be  but  too 
certain  that  in  many  cases  any  salutary  im- 
pressions thus  made  will  prove  evanescent 
or  inefficient,  yet  if  the  Lord  vouchsafe  his 
blessing,  in  some  at  least,  they  may  be 
deepened,  enlarged,  and  brightened,  into  a 
lasting  record  of  Eternal  mercy.  May  that 
blessing  be  graciously  bestowed  ! 

But  by  those  Mothers  who  are  already 
awake  to  spiritual  things,  these  meditations 
will  perhaps  be  recognized  as  embodying 
some  train  of  feeling  and  association,  or 
illustrating  some  scriptural  symbol  drawn 
from  tne  early  nursery,  which  has  often 


VI  PREFACE. 

occurred  to  their  own  minds.  To  them, 
therefore,  as  possessing  the  best  clue  to  its 
meaning  and  intention,  this  httle  work  is 
affectionately  dedicated,  and  may  He  who 
alone  can,  render  it,  in  some  degree,  condu- 
cive to  their  edification. 

Edinburgh,  October,  1832. 


CONTENTS. 


MEDITATION  I. 

PSA.LM    CXX.  1. 

PaGre. 


In  my  distress  I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and 
he  heard  me 1 


MEDITATION  II. 

'MALACHi  iii.  6. 

I  am  the  Lord  ;  I  chansje  not ;  therefore 
ye  sons  of  Jacob  are  not  consumed.        6 

MEDITATION  IIL 

Job  xiv.  4. 

Who  can  bringr  a  clean  thing  out  of  an 
unclean  ?    Not  one.         .        .        .10 


VllI  CONTENTS. 

MEDITATION  IV. 

JOHN  xvi.  21. 

A  woman  when  she  is  in  travail  hath 
sorrow,  because  her  hour  is  come.  15 

MEDITATION  V. 

ST.  MATTHEW  V.  6. 

Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and 
thirst  after  righteousness,  for  they 
shall  be  filled 22 

MEDITATION  VI. 

ROMANS    i.  25. 

They  changed  the  truth  of  God  into  a 
lie  ;  and  worshipped  and  served  the 
creature,  more  than  the  Creator,  who 
is  blessed  for  ever.  .        .         .29 

MEDITATION  VII. 

JOHN  iii.  7. 

Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  thee,  ye 
must  be  born  again.  .        .        .36 


CONTENTS.  IX 

MEDITATION  VIII. 

PSALM  civ.  24. 

Oh  Lord !  how  manifold  are  thy  works : 
in  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all.     43 

MEDITATION  IX. 

1st  JOHN  iii.  4. 

Sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law.      .    51 

MEDITATION  X. 

JOB  xi.  5,  6. 

Oh  that  God  would  speak,  and  open 
his  lips  against  thee,  and  that  He 
would  shew  thee  the  secrets  of  wis- 
dom, that  Ahey  are  double  to  that 
which  is.  Know  therefore  that  God 
exacteth  of  thee  less  than  thine 
iniquity  deserveth.  .        .         .59 

MEDITATION  XI. 

ZECHARIAH  iv.  10. 

Who  hath  despised  the  day  of  small 
things? 66 


X  CONTENTS. 

MEDITATION  XII. 

1st  PETER  V.  5. 

All  of  you  be  clothed  with  humility.         75 
MEDITATION  XIII. 

ST.  MATTHEW  vii.  II,  12. 

If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give 
good  gifts  unto  your  children,  how 
much  more  shall  your  Fathei-  which 
is  in  heaven  give  good  things  to 
them  that  ask^him?  Therefore  all 
things  whatsoever  ye  would  that 
men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so 
to  them  :  for  this  is  the  law  and  the 
prophets. 82 

■  MEDITATION  XIV. 

PSALM  ciii.  17. 

But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  ever- 
lasting to  everlasting  upon  them  that 
fear  him,  and  his  righteousness  unto 
children's  children :  to  such  as  keep 


CONTENTS.  XI 

his  covenant,  and  to  those  that  re- 
member his  commandments  to  do 
them 90 

MEDITATION  XV. 

ROMANS  vri.  14. 

For  ye  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual       98 

MEDITATION  XVI. 

HEBREWS  ii.  16 — 18. 

For  verily  he  took  not  on  him  the  na- 
ture of  angels  ;  but  he  took  on  him 
the  seed  of  Abraham.  Wherefore  in 
all  things  it  behoved  him  to  be  made 
like  unto  his  brethren,  that  he  might 
be  a  merciful  and  faithful  high  priest 
in  things  pertaining  to  God,  to  make 
reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  peo- 
ple. For  in  that  he  himself  hath 
suffered,  being  tempted,  he  is  able  to 
succour  them  that  are  tempted.        .  106 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

MEDITATION  XVII. 

PSALM  iv.  4. 

Commune  with  your  own  heart  upon 
your  bed,  and  be  still,     .         .         .114 

MEDITATION  XVIII. 

ST.  MARK  X.   13,  14,  16, 

And  they  brought  young  children  to 
him,  that  he  should  touch  them ; 
and  his  disciples  rebuked  those  that 
brought  them.  But  when  Jesus  saw 
it,  he  was  much  displeased,  and  said 
unto  them,  Suffer  the  little  children 
to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them 
not:  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
God. — And  he  took  them  up  in  his 
arms,  put  his  hands  upon  them,  and 
blessed  them.  .        .        .        .122 

MEDITATION  XIX. 

JAMES  IV.  14, 

What  is  your  life  ?  It  is  even  a  vapour, 
that  appeareth  for  a  little  time,  and 
then  vanisheth  away.  .        .131 


CONTENTS.  Xlll 

MEDITATION  XX. 

1st  CORINTHIANS  i.   19. 

For  it  is  written,  I  will  destroy  the  wis- 
dom of  the  wise,  and  will  bring  to 
nothing  the  understanding  of  the 
prudent. 138 

MEDITATION  XXI. 

ST.  MATTHEW  xxiii.  37, 

0  Jerusalem!  Jerusalem! — how  often 
would  I  have  gathered  thy  children 
together,  even  as  a  hen  gathereth  her 
chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye 
would  not 146 

MEDITATION  XXII. 

JOB  xxxix.  3,  4. 

Their  young  ones  are  in  good  liking, 
they  grow  up  with  corn;  they  go 
forth,  and  return  not  unto  them. 
Who  hath  sent  out  the  wild  ass  free  ? 
or  who  hath  loosed  the  bonds  of  the 
wild  ass? 155 


XIV  CONTEJ^TS. 

MEDITATION  XXIII. 

GALATIANS  iv.   19. 

My  little  children,  of  whom  I  travail  in 
birth  until  Christ  be  formed  in  you.      165 

MEDITATION  XXIV. 

ST.  MATTHEW  XXV.  40. 

Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one 
of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye 
have  done  it  unto  me.       .         .        .  175 

MEDITATION  XXV. 

ISAIAH  xxvi.  16. 

Lord,  in  trouble  have  they  visited  thee ; 
they  poured  out  a  prayer  when  thy 
chastening  was  upon  them.      .        .  182 

MEDITATION  XXVI. 

JOSHUA  IV.  6. 

What  mean  ye  by  these  stones?  .  189 


CONTENTS.  XV 

MEDITATION  XXVII. 

PSALM  C.  4. 

Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving, 
and  into  his  courts  with  praise :  be 
thankful  unto  him,  and  bless  his 
name 198 

MEDITATION  XXVIII. 

1st  CHRONICLES  Xxix  12. 

In  thine  hand  it  is  to  make  great,  and 
to  give  strength  unto  all  .         .  205 

MEDITATION  XXIX. 

GENESIS  XXXV.  18. 

And  it  came -to  pass,  as  her  soul  was 
in  departing,  (for  she  died,)  that  she 
called  his  name  Benoni,  [the  son  of 
my  sorrow,]  but  his  father  called  him 
Benjamin,  [the  son  of  my  right  hand.]  214 


MEDITATION  I. 


"  In  my  distress  I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  heard 
toe." — Psalm  cxx.  1. 


These  are  words  of  much  simplicity;  the 
humblest  capacity  can  readily  perceive  their 
meaning ;  yet  what  capacity  is  exalted 
enough  to  comprehend  the  vast  mysteries 
which  they  involve  ?  The  communion  of  a 
praying  soul,  with  a  prayer-hearing  God, 
who  shall  explain  it  ?  The  condescension 
of  Omnipotence  towards  the  breathings  of 
distress,  from  a  being  whose  volition  could 
not  confer  the  breath  of  existence  upon  the 
ineanest  replile,  who  shall  fathom  it?  The 
tiever-slnmbering  watchfulness  over  mil- 
lions, and  the  ever-ready  compassion  awake 
to  the  groan  of  penitence,  even  from  the 
vilest  of  them,  who  shall  express  their  mar- 
vellousness  ? — Yet  all  this,  yea,  more  than 
this,  is  implied  in  the  assertion,  "  In  my 
distress  I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  He 
heard  me." 

Easy  it  is  for  those  who  have  not  tritd 
this  blessed  resource  in  the  depths  of  human 
2 


wretchednesa,  to  say  in  their  folly,  How  can 
Man  converse  with  God  ?  How  can  an  in- 
significant, nay,  a  sinful  creature,  engage  the 
attention,  depend  on  the  kindness,  obtain 
the  assistance  of  Him,  who  holds  a  universe 
in  his  hand,  who  is  "  glorious  in  hohness, 
fearful  in  praises,  doing  wonders  ?"  How ! — 
Because  He  is  God, — glorious  in  holiness. 
He  "  ever  worketh,"  that  the  creation  He 
has  formed  may  be  holy  also ;  and  the  whole 
economy  of  Providence  and  Grace  is  but  a 
succession  of  steps  in  this  important  process. 
SubUme  in  Majesty,  He  is  no  less  sublime 
in  Mercy — admirable  in  his  Power — mag- 
nificent is  the  sphere  of  its  operation — but 
quite  as  admirable,  and  to  us  infinitely  more 
delightful  is  the  benevolence  of  its  exercise, 
and  the  minuteness  of  its  difiusion.  "  I 
cried,"  says  the  sinner,  "  and  thou  heardest 
me."  Has  the  objector  reasoned  himself 
into  a  behef  that  this  is  a  fallacy  ?  Let  him 
"  become  a  fool  that  he  may  be  wise ;"  let 
him  try,  what  to  him  appears  so  unlikely  to 
succeed. — Oh,  that  his  first  petition  might 
be  for  humihty,  and  for  profound  submission 
to  that  revelation  of  unspeakable  grace, 
which  says  to  the  sons  of  men,  "  Call  upon 
me  in  the  time  of  trouble,  and  I  will  answer 
thee!" — which  unites  duty  with  privilege, 


3 


and  pledges  Infinite  Truth  to  reward  the 
petitioner,  who,  venturing  on  the  unim- 
peachable warrant  of  an  express  permission, 
flees  for  refuge,  where  "  He  that  cometh  shall 
in  no  wise  be  cast  out."  And  when  perfor- 
mance has  actually  been  vouchsafed  of  this 
promise,  so  rich  with  unspeakable  consola- 
tion, when  we  have  cried  and  have  been 
answered,  when  we  know  that  God,  through 
our  never-faiUng  Intercessor,  has  heard  us, 
"  because  we  have  tke  petitions  that  we 
asked  of  Him,"  shall  we  ever  again  be  back- 
ward to  pour  out  our  souls  before  Him,  who 
has  thus  heard  our  voice  out  of  his  holy 
temple,  and  suffered  our  feeble  cry  to  come 
before  Him,  even  into  his  ears  ?  Or  shall 
we  hesitate  to  devote  to  Him  the  homage 
of  our  most  devoted  love,  who  has  not  dis- 
dained to  listen  to  us,  to  comfort  and  to 
reheve  us,  when  He  might  justly  have 
answered  us  only  thus,  "Why  should  a 
living  man  complain,  a  man  for  the  punish- 
ment of  his  sins?" 

PRAYER. 

Oh,  good  and  gracious  God  !  Father  of 
all  mercies,  Giver  of  all  comfort,  I  adore 
and  praise  thee  that  thou  permittest  me  to 


approach  thy  throne  of  grace  in  every  time 
of  need.  I  desire  especially  to  thank  thee 
for  [the  recent  instance  of]  thy  preserving 
mercy  towards  me,  a  miserable  sinner,  and 
I  earnestly  pray  that  I  may  be  led  so  to 
meditate  on  thy  lovincj-kindness,  manifested 
in  all  thy  past  dealings  with  me  and  mine, 
as  henceforth  to  devote  my  heart  and  life  to 
thy  service,  and  to  put  my  whole  trust  in 
thee,  in  every  trial  and  trouble  of  this  mortal 
state.  Through  thy  dear  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
who  in  the  days  of  his  flesh  offered  up 
prayers  and  supplications,  with  strong  cry- 
ing and  tears,  and  was  heard  in  that  he 
feared,  and  who  ever  lives  to  make  inter- 
cession for  us,  hear  my  prayers,  oh  merciful 
Lord!  and  to  thy  name  be  glory  for  ever 
and  ever — Amen. 

PSALM  CXVL 

I  love  the  Lord,  whose  gracious  ear, 
Hath  heard  my  humble  voice, 

Who  saw  my  supplicating  tear, 
And  caused  me  to  rejoice. 

Long  as  I  live,  I'll  call  on  thee, 

Thou  Answerer  of  prayer  ; 
Long  as  I  live,  my  joy  shall  be, 

To  cast  on  thee  my  care. 


Anguish,  with  unrelenting  fangs, 

Deep  hold  upon  me  took  ; 
As  of  approaching  death,  the  pangs 

My  suffering  spirit  shook. 

Then  cried  I  unto  thee,  oh  Lord  ! 

Deliverance  I  besought  ; 
Thy  grace  and  righteousness  adored, 

And  of  thy  mercies  thought. 

Who  simply  fix  their  trust  on  thee, 

Thou  amply  dost  protect; 
I  was  brought  low — Thou  helpedst  me, 

Nor  didst  my  suit  reject. 

Return,  return,  my  weary  soul, 

Be  tranquil  and  repose. 
For  Mercy's  hand  can  still  control 

The  measure  of  thy  uoes. 

Oh  !  be  it  no'w  thy  only  aim. 

With  grateful  zeal  to  pay. 
That  tribute  which  His  bounties  claim, 

Who  chased  thy  griefs  away. 


MEDITATION  II. 

"I  am  the  Lord;  I  change  not;  therefore,  ye  sons 
of  Jacob  are  not  consumed."— Malachi  iii.  6, 

The  sun  is  still  the  same  glorious  orb  of 
splendid  lustre,  though  innumerable  clouds 
have  passed  between  us  and  his  dazzling 
brightness,  since  first  our  eyes  opened  on  his 
beauty.  The  moon  is  still  the  same  faithful 
witness  in  heaven  of  her  Creator's  directing 
hand,  as  vv^hen  the  newly-breathing  inmates 
of  Paradise  first  gazed  with  admiration  upon 
her  nightly  varying  form,  or  hailed  the 
return  of  her  suspended  beams  in  evening's 
silent  hour.  Five  thousand  years  have  rolled 
away,  and  the  ordinances  of  heaven  depart 
not  from  before  the  Lord,  who  in  his  wisdom 
decreed  them  all.  Yet  fAe?/ shall  change; 
as  a  garment  shall  they  all  wax  old,  and  as 
a  vesture  shall  they  be  folded  up.  Thou,  oh 
Lord !  only  art  ever,  ever  the  same,  and  thy 
years  shall  not  fail,  neither  shall  thine  Israel 
cease  from  being  a  nation  before  thee  for 
ever. 

Happy  thought,  if  we  too  are  of  Israel ! 
Have  we  "  wept"  for  sin  and  "  made  sup- 


plication"  for  grace  like  him  ?  Through  the 
Angel  of  the  Covenant  wrestling  powerfully 
with  our  hearts  in  the  hour  of  apprehension 
and  peril,  have  we  like  Jacob,  "  had  power 
with  God,"  and  "  prevailed"  with  him  for 
a  blessing?  Happy  thought!  "He  changes 
not."  He  will  establish,  he  will  keep  us  from 
all  evil.  Faithful  is  he  that  calleth,  who  also 
will  do  according  to  his  abundant  mercy, 
and  his  ever-steadfast  promises.  He  changes 
not,  therefore  are  we  not  consumed.  Oh! 
where,  but  for  the  immutability  of  this  Rock, 
on  which  the  believer  has  laid  his  eager, 
grateful  hand,  where  would  he  have  been 
ere  now  ?  Where  would  he  still  fall,  had  not 
that  rock,  once  touched,  a  magnetic  power, 
strong  enough  to  retain  his  hold  in  spite  of 
all  the  counteractions  of  his  corrupt  nature? 
Sometimes,  alas !  so  feeble  and  vacillating 
is  his  will,  so  faint  and  careless  his  mind, 
that  he  scarcely  knows  whether  he  stands 
or  not  within  reach  of  his  security.  But 
the  Lord  "  changes  not."  He  sees  and  he 
restores.  New  energy  flows  into  the  almost 
paralyzed  spirit.  A  startling  view  of  sin, 
a  melting  view  of  Jesus,  is  vouchsafed. 
The  sliding  one  beholds!  repeats!  adores! 
"  It  is  not  consumed."  Oh,  grace  unspeak- 
able !  how  can  we  suflSciently  admire  it  ? 


s 


How  can  we  earnestly,  speedily  enough 
accept  the  offer  of  it,  each  one  for  ourselves  ? 
Lord  enable  us  so  to  do.  Make  us  willing 
in  this  day  of  thy  power. 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Lord !  God  of  Abraham,  Isaac,  and 
Jacob !  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for 
ever,  I  rejoice  in  the  assurance  of  thy  ever- 
lasting faithfulness  contained  in  thy  Holy 
Word.  I  would  rest  upon  them  now  and  for 
ever.  Work  in  me,  oh  Lord  !  to  will  and  to 
do  of  thy  good  pleasure.  My  own  heart  is 
deceitful,  and  its  corrupt  bent  is  ever  to  fall 
back  from  thee,  my  true  life,  and  strength 
and  joy.  Oh,  aid  me  with  thy  continual 
grace.  Watch  over  me  for  good,  and  make 
me  watchful  that  1  may  never  depart  from 
thee,  my  God.  Thy  love  to  thy  redeemed 
is  wonderful,  beyond  all  that  I  can  imagine 
or  express.  Fill  all  my  faculties  with  such 
a  deep  sense  of  this,  that  I  may  love  thee 
more  and  more,  till  I  see  thee  face  to  face, 
and  rejoice  in  thee  unceasingly  for  ever  and 
ever,  through  Him  who  bought  us  with  his 
own  blood,  and  pleadeth  continually  that  we 
may  not  be  consumed, — even  Jesus  Christ, 
our  ever  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour. — Amen. 


"  Can  a  woman  forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she 
should  not  have  compassion  on  the  son  of  her  womb  1 
Yea,  they  may  forget ;  yet  will  I  never  forget  thee." 
—Isa.  xiix.  15. 


Golden  key  of  richest  treasure, 
Opening  wide  affection's  store  ; 

Oh  the  tender  throb  of  pleasure, 
At  the  mother's  bosom  core ! 

Oh,  the  deep  pathetic  feeling, 

Joyful  hope  and  pity  mild, 
Through  each  new  pulsation  stealing. 

As  she  gazes  on  her  child ! 

Can  they  forget  ?    Ah,  yes,  fond  Mother, 

Ostrich  bosoms  do  exist : 
Sucking  babes  may  find  another 

Kinder  than  the  parent  breast. 

They  may  ftfrget.   Compassion's  fountain 
Human  hearts  may  turn  to  gall ; 

Yet,  "  fear  not  thou,  my  holy  mountain, 
That  thy  God  forgets  thy  call." 

Oh,  afflicted,  tempest  smitten. 

Though  the  whelming  billows  roll, 

On  his  hands  thy  name  is  written. 
As  "  the  travail  of  his  soul." 


10 

Say  not  thou,  in  sinful  blindness, 
That  Jehovah  loves  thee  not ; 
Called  with  everlasting  kindness, 
Thou  shalt  never  be  forgot ! 


MEDITATION  III. 


"  Who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean  ? 
Not  one.— Job.  xiv.  4. 


There  are  rivers  which  run  under  ground 
for  a  part  of  their  course  ;  but  in  that  hidden 
progress,  are  they  not  as  truly  fed  from  the 
original  source,  as  when  emerging  into  open 
day,  they  overflow  the  level  plain,  or  rush 
impetuously  towards  their  great  depository  ? 
There  are  diseases  of  which  the  patient 
knows  not  the  existence  within  his  frame ; 
but  do  they  therefore  the  less  certainly, 
because  unsuspectedly,  sap  its  vital  force  ? 
While  the  faculties  of  the  human  mind  are 
as  yet  undeveloped,  while  its  imaginations 
are  as  yet  unexercised,  many  are  inclined 
to  suppose  that  it  would  be  a  work  of  little 


11 


or  no  inherent  difficulty,  to  direct  its  powers, 
j  as  they  shall  gradually  increase,  into  the 
purest,  the  most  beneficial,  the  most  virtu- 
ous channels.  The  mind,  they  affirm,  is  as 
a  smooth  unmarked  surface :  indented  by 
the  minute  processes  of  Habit, — sculptured 
into  various  forms  by  the  skilful  hand  of 
Education,  or  stained  by  contact  with  un- 
favourable Example — all  its  pecuharities  and 
all  its  vices  may  be  traced  to  the  circum- 
stances in  which  the  individual,  from  hia 
earliest  and  most  impressible  age,  has  been 
placed.  To  a  certain  and  limited  extent, 
these  assertions  may  be  said  to  be  founded 
in  truth.  Habit,  Education,  and  Example, 
have,  indisputably,  a  large  and  important 
influence  informing  the  youthful  character; 
and  had  man  retained  his  original  righteous- 
ness, these  would  have  but  tended  to 
strengthen  within  him  the  principles  of  rect- 
itude and  piety.  But  had  not  the  word  of  God 
expressly  asserted,  that,  fallen  from  primeved 
uprightness,  men  have  sought  out  and  sub- 
stituted for  it,  many  inventions, — had  it  not 
illustrated  the  melancholy  fact  of  our  deprav- 
ity, by  reminding  us  how  impossible  it  is 
to  draw  from  a  polluted  fountain  hmpid  and 
pure  waters,  or  to  "  bring  a  clean  thing  out 
of  an  unclean  one," — personal  observation 


12 


might,  in  a  great  degree,  have  led  to  such 
a  conviction  of  our  state.  When  the  good 
and  the  evil  are  set  before  us,  or  before 
our  youngest  intelligent  inmates, — let  con- 
science and  experience  M'itness  which  of 
these  it  is,  that,  on  the  impulse  of  the 
moment,  would  invariably  be  chosen,  and 
which  rejected  ; — which  it  is  that  it  requires 
no  struggle  to  select :  Alas  !  does  not  our 
real  position,  as  to  these  things,  resemble 
that  of  a  heavily  laden  equipage,  "  a  burden 
to  the  weary  beasts,"  who,  with  toilsome 
steps,  and  by  slow  degrees,  drag  it  up  the 
steep  ascent,  but  liable,  if  only  a  moment's 
pause  occur  in  their  exertions,  to  run  back 
with  fearfully  multiplying  rapidity,  to  the 
very  foot  of  the  precipice  ?  In  such  a  case, 
where  would  be  the  most  rational  hope  of 
safety  ?  Would  it  be  most  securely  grounded 
on  ignorance  of  danger,  or  on  the  perception 
of  ifin  its  fullest  extent  ? 

Surely,  then,  an  enlightened  view  of  our 
tendency  to  evil,  ought  to  excite  more  vigor- 
ous exertions  for  overcoming  it,  than  would 
a  supine  denial  of  its  existence  I  and  if  there 
be  a  strong  and  friendly  aid  at  hand  who  can 
give  efficacy  to  our  otherwise  futile  efforts, 
and  enable  us  to  climb  in  safety  the  hill  of 
Zion,  that  must  be  an  infatuation  indeed, 


13 


which  induces  men  to  stand  denying  theii' 
need,  till  the  opportunity  of  attaining  help 
is  gone  forever.  "  He  that  trusteth  in  his 
own  heart  is  a  fool ;  but  whoso  walketh 
wisely,  he  shall  be  delivered." 

PRAYER. 

Vouchsafe  to  me,  oh  gracious  Lord !  a 
just  and  accurate  view  of  my  condition  in 
this  world,  as  a  sin-loving  and  sin-practising 
creature.  Give  me  deep  contrition  for  the 
many  offences  against  thee,  wherein  a 
depraved  will  and  selfish  affections,  have 
involved  me,  with  humble  and  entire  reli- 
ance on  thy  loving-kindness,  which  is  able  to 
extricate  me  from  all  the  perils  by  which  I 
am  surrounded.  Through  the  atoning  love 
of  thy  blessed  Son,  and  the  promised  aid  of 
Ihy  Holy  Spirit,  which  for  his  sake  I  implore 
thee  to  give  me,  may  I  be  renewed  in  heart 
and  mind,  and  preserved  unto  thy  heavenly 
kingdom.  And  for  those  immortal  souls 
in  any  way  especially  committed  to  my 
guidance,  grant  me  also,  oh  merciful 
Father !  the  same  inestimable  help.  May 
we  all  be  taught  of  thee,  and  by  thee  mer- 
cifully guided  and  defended,  for  the  Re- 
deemer's sake. — Amen. 


14 


"  Foolishness  ia  bound  in  the  heart  of  a  child,  but 
the  rod  of  correction  shall  drive  it  far  from  him." 
Proverbs  xxii.  15, 


Addressed  to  a  very  young  Infant. 

Gentle  and  dove-like  are  thine  eyes, 
Thy  look  is  calm  and  meek, 

And  innocence  endearing  sits 
Upon  thy  dimpled  cheek. 

And  can  it  be,  that  flower  so  fair, 
Should  seeds  of  poison  hide ; 

And  can  it  be,  thy  brow  serene, 
Should  flush  with  angry  pride  ? 

I  love  thee  much,  my  little  one, 

And  fain  I  would  believe, 
Thy  youthful  spirit,  angel  pure, 

And  pure  for  aye  to  hve. 

But,  ah !  my  babe,  each  day  confirms, 
What  heaven-taught  sages  say. 

That  "  foolishness  is  bound"  in  man, 
E'en  from  his  earliest  day. 

Uncheck'd  by  grace  divine,  his  sin 

Developes  as  he  grows  ; 
And  hopeful  infancy's  sweet  bud. 

In  disappointment  blows. 


15 

While  ot  lerg  therefore  boast  the  mind, 
Of  chiMhood,  spotless  white, 

And,  all  ur  aided,  hope  to  guide 
Its  energies  aright ; 

I,  for  I  love  ihee,  little  one, 

Most  earnestly  will  pray, 
A  purer  spirit  than  thine  own, 

Thy  helplessness  to  stay. 

Incipient  evils  I'll  deplore. 
Ere  they  themselves  unfold, 

And  seek  a  Father's  pitying  hand 
To  drive  them  from  their  hold. 

And  so,  my  babe,  in  holy  truth, 

Shall  shine  upon  thy  brow, 
Those  virtues  which  but  seem  to  deck 

Its  placid  sweetness  now. 


MEDITATION  IV. 

"A woman  when  she  is  in  travail  hath  sorrow, 
because  her  hour  is  come." — St.  John  xvi.  21, 

The  sure  word  of  prophecy  when  setting 
forth,  in  subhme  and  awakening  language, 


16 


the  approachingjudgmentsof  t}  aLordilpotl 
sinful  nations,  has  perhaps  app  led  no  meta- 
phors more  frequently — certai  ily  none  \Vith 
more  appropriateness  and  force, — than  those 
which  it  has  drawn  from  the  sorrows  of  a 
woman  "  when  her  hour  is  come."  When 
the  troubles  thus  denounced  are  on  the 
heathen  (as  in  Jeremiah  xlix.  22,  24.  and  1. 
43.)  we  may  remark,  that  the  symbol  is 
chiefly  directed  to  point  out  the  inevitable 
certainty  of  their  occurrence  at  the  time 
appointed, — the  suddenness  of  the  visita- 
tion,— and  the  terrors  with  which  it  will  be 
attended  ;  but  when  addressed  to  that  Zion, 
whom  her  long-suffering  Lord  will  not 
utterly  cast  ofl^,  though  the  crown  of  her 
glory  be  for  a  season  laid  in  the  dust,  though 
her  habitation  be  desolate,  and  the  voice  of 
joy  unheard  within  its  bounds,  it  is  very  re^ 
markable  how  the  illustrative  figure  is 
carried  forth  to  the  happy  termination  of  a 
deliverance,  as  joyful  as  its  introductory 
sufferings  are  terrible^  "  It  is  even  the  day 
of  Jacob's  trouble,"  but  he  shall  be  saved 
out  of  it.  *'  Be  in  pain  and  labour  to  bring 
forth,  oh  daughters  of  Zion  !  like  a  woman 
in  travail,  for  now  shalt  thou  go  forth,  even 
to  Babylon  ;  there  shalt  thou  be  delivered  j 
there  the  Lord  shall  redeem  thee  from  the 
hand  of  thine  enemies." — Micah.  iv.  10. 


17 


So,  al*o,  when  in  predicting  the  solemn 
p-  i!od  of  searching  and  sifting  retribution, 
u  hich  is  reserved  for  the  enemies  of  Christ, 
the  same  allusion  is  employed,  first  by  the 
Saviour  himself,  and  subsequently  by  his 
Apostle.  The  same  encouraging  promises 
arc  vouchsafed  to  the  church  of  a  terminat- 
ing joy,  which  shall  swallow  up  all  memory 
of  previous  anguish  :  "  I  will  see  you  again, 
and  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  andyour  joy  no 
man  taketh  from  you."  Of  that  awful  "day 
of  vengeance,"  when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall 
be  revealed  from  heaven,  all  previous  and 
detached  outpourings  of  indignation  have 
boon  indeed  but  the  types  anB  precursors, 
and  as  a  snare  will  it  come  on  the  often- 
warned,  but  obstinately  careless  inhabitants 
of  the  whole  earth.  But,  oh  blessed  thought 
for  the  saints  of  Jesus  !  and  through  all  the 
convulsions  and  tribulations  among  men  by 
which  "  the  time  of  the  end'''  shall  be  ush- 
ered in,  how  supporting,  how  reviving  to 
jtheir  trembling  hearts,  to  know  that  "their 
iRedeemer  is  mighty."  He  for  whom  they 
ihave  waited,  is  the  same  who  now  cometh 
in  the  clouds  of  heaven  with  power  and  great 
glory,  and  with  a  triumphant  salvation  will 
he  save  thera.  They  shall  be  hidden  within 
an  inviolable  sanctuary,  protected  by  an  im« 
3 


18 


pregnable  fortress,  yea,  saith  the  Lord  of 
Hosts,  "  they  shall  be  mine  in  that  day 
when  I  make  up  my  jewels."  They  are  his 
special  treasure,  and  He  will  spare  them,  as 
a  man  spareth  his  own  son  that  serveth  him. 
After  briefly  enumerating  the  signs  by 
which  the  watching  disciple  may  be  enabled 
to  perceive  the  immediate  approach  of  that 
day,  to  which  he  so  frequently  directs  their 
attention,  how  impressively  does  the  Lord, 
in  one  short  precept,  comprise  the  character- 
istics of  such,  by  saying  to  his  faithful 
servants,  "  When  ye  shall  see  these  things 
begin  to  come  to  pass,  then  lift  up  your 
heads,  for  the  day  of  your  redemption  draw- 
eth  nigh !"  When  others  faint  and  tremble, 
the  people  of  Christ  are  commanded  to 
exult,  and  why  ?  Because  they  are  virtuous, 
and  therefore  safe  ?  Because  they  are  holy, 
and  entitled  to  pre-eminence  ?  No  !  but 
because  their  rede7nptioii  draweth  nigh. 
Those  who  rejoice  in  recovered  freedom, 
must  have  groaned  under  the  oppressions  of 
captivity.  Those  who  welcome  the  victory 
of  the  Redeemer  over  his  enemies,  must 
have  inward  evidence  that  they  are  num- 
bered with  his  friends.  Those  who  arc 
looking  for,  and  hasting  unto  the  day  of 
God,  cannot  be  such  as  are  lavishing  their 


19 


affections  and  exertions  oti  the  evanescent 
j  delights  of  a  world  ripe  for  correction* 
Those  who  anticipate,  with  lively  joy,  the 
coming  of  Jesus,  must  be  equally  ready, 
should  he  previously  call  them,  to  be  absent 
from  the  body  and  present  with  himself* 
While  they  are  continued  here,  they  must 
be  living  as  strangers  and  pilgrims,  in  all 
holy  conversation  and  godliness.  If  thus  we 
be  looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  glorious 
appearing  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  we  shall 
Terily  and  effectually  be  strengthened,  (even 
though  our  lot  should  be  cast  among  the 
troubles  of  the  latter  days,)  to  "  endure 
unto  the  end  ;"  assured  that  if  we  do,  the 
unspeakable  mercy  which  has  kept,  will 
finally  bless  us. — May  all  our  trials  here 
purify  and  "  make  us  white"  for  that  great 
consummation ! 

PRAYER. 

Almighty  God !  the  Shield  and  the  Re- 
fuge of  them  that  trust  in  thee,  enable  me  so 
to  confide  in  thy  gracious  protection,  as  to 
contemplate  with  joy,  and  not  with  dismay, 
the  predicted  coming  of  thy  Son.  May  I, 
in  the  way  thy  Gospel  has  revealed,  seek 
righteousness  and  meekness,  bo  that  I  may 


20 


he  hid  in  the  day  of  thy  fierce  anger.  Open, 
Lord,  r  beseech  thee,  the  eyes  of  those 
who  are  careless  and  at  ease  in  Zion,  to 
behold,  ere  it  be  too  late,  the  things  which 
are  for  their  everlasting  good.  Awaken 
them  who  yet  slumber  and  sleep,  that  with 
replenished  lamps  they  may  be  ready,  when 
summoned  to  meet  their  Lord.  If  the 
combined  voices  of  thy  word,  and  thy 
Providence  unite  to  say,  "  The  bridegroom 
is  coming,  go  ye  forth  to  meet  him,"  may 
our  souls  hear  and  obey  the  call ;  and  may 
He  ever  meet  us  in  mercy  and  peace,  M'bo 
is  with  thee,  our  prevailing  Mediator  and 
Advocate,  For  his  sake  hear  and  accept 
me,  oh  my  God  !  and  all  for  whom  I  desire 
to  pray,  and  among  the  multitudes  in  the 
day  of  decision,  place  us  at  thy  right  hand, 
and  pronounce  us  blessed. — Amen  and 
Amen ! 


21 


"When  they  shall  say  peace  and  safety,  then  eud- 
flen  destruction  cometh  upon  then^,  as  travail  upon 
a  woman  with  child,  and  they  shall  not  escape.  But 
ye,  bethren,  are  not  in  darkness,  that  that  day 
should  overtake  you  as  a  thief." — 1st  Thess.  v.  3,  4. 

That  trying  hour !  how  suddenly  it  came, 

Though  long  expected,  unawares  at  last ; 
So  on  a  world  at  ease,  Destruction's  flame, 
And  judgment's  fearful,  long  impending 
blast. 
With  startling  shock  shall  burst, 
O'erwhelming  the  accurst  : 
And  "  they  shall  not  escape." 

Dark  day  of  terrors  !    emblem  faint  of  thee. 
Are  woman's  sorrows  when  her  hour's 
arrived. 
Shalt  thou  not  Earth  !  as  one  in  travail  be, 
Press'd  with  increasing  pangs  ?  yet  not 
deprived , 
Of  Hope — for  from  thy  womb. 
In  that  dread  day  of  doom, 
A  gladdening  birth  shall  spring. 

The  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise.  The  teeming 
dust 
Shall  wake  and  sing.     Thick  as  the  drops 

of  dew 
h'  innumerable  myriads  of  the  just 


22 

O'er  their  last  enemy,  triumphant  too, 
Caught  up  their  Lord  to  meet, 
With  shouts  of  joy  shall  greet 
Jesus — salvation's  King ! 

Oh  !  for  a  heart  prepared,  to  watch,  to  wait, 
With  trembhng  joy  that  consummation 
sure; 
God's  ways  to  love — the  ways  of  sin  to  hate, 
And  through  all  tribulations,  to  "endure." 
Such,  in  earth's  direful  woe, 
Shall  "  peace  and  safety"  know, 
E'en  in  a  world  convulsed  ! 


MEDITATION  V. 

"Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and   thirat 
after  righteousness,  for  they  shall  be  filled." 

St.  Matthew  v.  6. 

Among  the  treasures  of  Divine  Wisdom 
which  are  richly  scattered  through  the  re- 
vealed Scriptures,  none  surely  should  be 
more  dear  to  the  Christian's  heart,  none 
more  constantly  present  to  the  Christian's 
memory,    than  the  very  words  whicb  feU 


23 


from  the  lips  of  Him,  who  even  from  his 
enemies  extorted  this  confession,  "  Never 
man  spake  hke  this  man  !"  That  beautiful 
analysis  of  true  blessedness  with  which  the 
Lord  commenced  his  instructions  on  the 
mountain,  is  of  itself  an  inexhaustible  fund 
of  pious  and  profitable  meditation  ;  so  that 
we  can  scarcely  help  supposing,  that  many 
of  the  assembled  multitude  unto  whom  it 
was  delivered,  must  have  called  to  mind  the 
words  of  their  ancient  Lawgiver,  "  A 
Prophet  shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise  up 
unto  you,  like  unto  me;  him  shall  ye  hear," 
and  welcomed  their  evident  fulfilment  by 
exclaiming,  "  Grace  is  poured  into  thy  lips  ; 
therefore  God  hath  blessed  thee  for  ever." 
Not  only  do  the  beatitudes  here  announced 
describe  the  assured  happiness  of  the 
believer  who  possesses  them,  and  the  fitness 
of  the  promised  blessings  to  his  several 
wants, — they  also  aflTord  a  distinguished  test 
of  individual  profession,  marking  deeply 
that  line  of  separation  from  worldly  max- 
ims, feelings,  and  pursuits,  by  which  the 
genuine  character  of  the  Redeemer's  people 
is  to  be  distinguished.  The  strong  hold  of 
corrupt  nature  is  pride.  "  Ye  shall  be  as 
Gods,"  formed  no  inconsiderable  part  of 
the  first  temptation  ;  and  it  is  in  almost 


24 


levery  sin  still  committed,  a  component  part 
of  the  guilt;  but  what  says  the  Saviour? 
"  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit."  Nature 
loves  present  ease  at  the  expense  of  future 
good  ;  but  what  saith  Grace  ?  "  Blessed 
are  they  that  mourn."  The  carnal  mind 
resents  injuries,  revolts  against  mysteries, 
rebels  against  afflictive  dispensations;  so  do 
not  they  who  are  born  of  the  Spirit: 
"  Blessed  are  the  meek."  The  people  of  this 
world  covet  the  splendours  and  luxuries  of 
life,  saying,  "  What  shall  we  eat,  and  what 
shall  we  drink,  and  wherewithal  shall  we 
be  clothed  ?"  So  do  not  the  people  of 
God.  They  hunger  and  thirst  after  righte- 
ousness, and  "  Blessed  are  they,  for  they 
shall  be  filled."  Their  meat  and  drink 
it  shall  be  to  do  the  will  of  God.  Earnestly 
do  they  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the 
Word  that  they  may  grow  thereby,  and 
it  shall  not  be  denied  them.  Is  not  their  Lord 
he  that  teacheth  them  to  profit  ?  Does 
not  his  Spirit  turn  into  nourishment  for  them^ 
that  which  to  others  is  tasteless  and  unsatis- 
factory, mixing  it  with  faith  in  their  hearts, 
and  so  fulfilling  the  ardent  prayer  of  the 
Redeemer  for  his  Church,  that  through  the 
Word  of  Truth  it  might  be  sanctified  ? 

As  there  is  no  surer  sign  of  animal  life 
and  health,  than  the  desire  of  wholesome 


25 


snstenance ;  so  of  the  life  of  faith  within  the 
soul,  is  no  token  more  unquestionable  than 
an  abidinff  delight  in  all  God's  testimonies; 
a  longing  for  them,  not  mingled  with  merely 
human  ingredients,  and  so  depreciated  into 
the  food  of  controversy, — not  to  be  agitated 
in  a  vessel  already  soured  by  preconceived 
opinions,  and  so  fermented  into  the  aliment 
of  intoxicating  Pride,  of  infidel  doubts ; — 
but  pure,  unmixed,  and  in  all  their  sublime 
simplicity;  to  grow  thereby,  and  not  to 
shine, — to  improve  the  heart,  not  merely  to 
gratify  the  taste, — to  give  vigour  and  activity 
to  self-denying  obedience,  not  merely  to 
excite  indolent  admiration,  or  encourage 
speculative  contemplations,  from  which  no 
practical  influences  are  to  be  digested. 

It  is  most  important  to  examine  ourselves 
on  this  point,  whether  hungering  and  thirst- 
ing after  righteousness  be  distinctly  the  mo- 
tive of  our  Scriptural  studies.  They  may 
otherwise  be  pursued  with  regularity  and 
perseverance,  yea,  even  with  delight,  with- 
out real  spiritual  advantage.  The  Word 
of  God  may  be  admired  for  its  many  intrin- 
sic excellencies,  even  where  it  has  not 
reached  the  conscience  and  affections.  The 
faithfulness  and  antiquity  of  its  national 
records, — the  grandeur  of  its  discoveries 


26 


concerning  the  origin  of  created  things — 
the  pathetic  beauties  of  its  interesting  biog- 
raphies— the  loftiness  of  its  poetry — the 
rich  variety  of  its  imagery — the  convincing 
energy  of  its  arguments — the  compreliensive 
simphcity  and  unsullied  purity  of  its  moral 
lessons — have,  in  various  ways,  attractions 
for  minds  who  never  suffered  it  to  say,  I 
have  a  message  from  God  unto  thee.  For 
any  or  for  all  these,  its  perfections,  as  well 
as  from  custom  or  decency,  for  professional 
distinction,  or  for  victorious  arguments,  the 
Bible  may  be  examined  statedly,  and  even 
closely,  yet  laid  down  without  heartfelt  ad- 
vantage !  And  why  ?  Because  not  handled 
as  food.  None  but  those  who  can  say, 
"Thy  commandments  were  found  and  I  did 
eat  them,"  can  grow  in  grace  by  their  spirit- 
ual digestion.  Personal  apphcation  of  the 
Divine  statutes  is  the  only  arrow  which  can 
effectually  reach,  and  prick,  and  rouse,  the 
self-satisfied  conscience.  Personal  appli- 
cation of  the  love  of  Jesus,  the  only  elixir 
which  can  exalt  and  purify  the  soul  unto 
the  love  and  practice  of  holiness ;  they  are 
both  in  the  hand  of  the  Spirit  to  dispense, 
for  his  office  it  is,  both  to  convince  of  sin, 
and,  taking  of  the  things  of  Christ,  so  to 
shew  them  to  the  souC  that  it  may  have 


27 


peace  and  joy  in  believing.  The  feast  is 
spread  !  many  behold  and  many  praise  it ; 
but  who  are  they  that  partake  of  the  pro- 
vided repast,  not  only  with  relish,  but  so  as 
to  go  in  the  strength  of  that  meat  from  day 
to  day,  from  hour  to  hour,  through  evil 
report  and  good  report,  rejoicing  ?  This  is 
the  privilege  of  those  only  who  are  taught 
of  God.  Such  honour  have  all  his  saints, 
and  his  saints  only.  Are  we  called  so  to  be  ? 
Let  us  look  well,  that  we  be  not  only  called 
but  chosen,  and  to  that  end  pray  earnestly 
to  Him  who  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound 
towards  us,  that  he  will  open  our  eyes  to  see 
wonderful  things  out  of  his  law. 

PRAYER. 

Gluicken  me,  O  Lord,  after  thy  loving- 
kindness,  so,shall  I  keep  the  statutes  of  thy 
mouth.  May  I  hunger  for  Christ  the  living 
bread.  May  I  thirst  for  the  water  of  life, 
which  he  only  can  bestow,  and  may  that 
bread  be  given  me,  and  those  waters  be 
made  sure  according  to  thy  promises.  O 
never-failing  Fountain  of  Love  and  Hope, 
of  Holiness  and  Peace !  Spirit  of  Truth, 
whom  the  world  cannot  receive,  because  it 
seeth  thee  not,  be  in  me  whenever  I  meditate 


28 


on  the  oracles  of  God,  and  impress  them 
savingly  on  my  heart  to  the  end  of  my 
course  on  earth,  making  my  profiting  to 
appear  unto  all  men,  to  the  glory  of  my 
Heavenly  Father.  All  I  ask  is  through 
Jesus  Christ,  my  only  Saviour. — Amen. 


"  As  new-born  babes  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the 
word  that  ye  may  grow  thereby."—!  Peter  ii.  2. 

Instinctively  the  infant  craves 

That  food  which  fits  it  best, 
And  nature's  nutriment  receives 

Pure  from  the  mother's  breast. 

See  with  what  eagerness  of  joy 

It  takes  the  proffered  boon. 
What  tempting  bait  shall  wealth  employ, 

To  lure  it  thence  too  soon  ? 

No  weariness — no  love  of  change, 

Repress  its  fond  delight ; 
Had  it  the  universe  to  range, 

'Twould  seek  no  dearer  sight. 

With  powers  thus  ardently  intent, 

Do  Christian  minds  desire, 
That  heaven  provided  nourishment. 

Their  daily  wants  require. 


29 

On  nnadulterated  food, 

Jehovah's  word  they  live, 
Nor  would  they  change  that  cherished  good 

For  all  that  earth^can  give. 

Thy  statutes,  Lord,  are  good  and  pure, 
They  make  the  simple  wise: 

Thy  testimonies,  clear  and  sure, 
Illume  our  darkened  eyes. 

Oh  be  the  sacred  pleasure  mine. 

Unceasingly  to  draw, 
Fresh  from  the  fount  of  life  divine, 

The  sweetness  of  thy  law. 


MEDITATION  VI. 

"They  chan^'ed  the  truth  of  God  into  a  lie  ;  and 
Avorshipped  and  served  the  creature,  more  than  the 
Creator,  who  is  blessed  for  ever. "^Romans  i.  2o. 

From  the  beginning  it  was  even  so !  From 
the  beginning,  even  until  now,  the  dispo- 
sitions here  described  have  been  the  very 
essence  of  all  sin.    Disbelief  of  the  Divme 


30 


testimony — self-indulgence,  in  opposition  to 
the  restraint  of  the  Divine  commands — 
deliberate  preference  of  created  perishing 
enjoyments,  to  the  favour  and  fruition  of  the 
Creator,  who  is  blessed  for  ever.  Thus  it 
was  with  Eve ;  she  doubted  the  immutabil- 
ity of  the  Divine  Word ;  she  permitted  a 
momentary  gratification,  opposed  to  her 
Maker's  will,  and  the  visionary  prospect  of 
an  exalted  happiness,  independent  of  Him, 
to  withdraw  her  heart  from  its  only  true 
rest,  even  when  surrounded  by  the  paradise 
of  delights  in  which  he  had  vouchsafed  to 
place  her.  The  serpent  beguiled  her  by  his 
subtlety,  and  she  fell.  Thus,  too,  it  was 
with  Adam — he  was  not  deceived — he  sup- 
posed not  that  any  rich  virtues  dwelt  in  that 
forbidden  fruit,  whereby  he  should  be  wiser 
or  happier  after  he  had  eaten;  but  the 
creature  lay  at  Ms  heart.  "  The  woman 
whom  thou  gavest  me,  she  tempted  me  and 
I  did  eat."  His  love  for  Eve  was  greater 
than  his  love  for  his  God  !  Without  that 
last  precious  gift,  he  could  not  be  happy, 
even  in  the  light  of  his  Maker's  counte- 
nance, and  the  certainty  of  his  approring 
smile.  Though  he  knew  that  his  help-meet 
had  thrown  off  her  allegiance  to  the  Supreme 
Giver  of  all  their  blessings,  he  shrank  not 


31 


from  the  pollution  of  her  society,  as  shrink 
the  unfallen  from  contact  with  the  dis- 
obedient. He  loved  the  world,  and  the 
things  of  the  world,  and  the  love  of  the 
Father  faded  within  him,  and  he  fell.  See 
ye  not,  oh  posterity !  of  that  offending  pair, 
see  ye  not  your  own  portraits  in  this  mirror? 
Yet  how  mercifully  does  the  adorable  Je- 
hovah meet,  even  the  guilty  beings  who  had 
thus  insulted  him  !  He  condemns  man  in- 
deed to  toil,  but  with  the  passions  which 
now  became  predominant  in  his  degraded 
nature  to  what  excesses  might  not  a  life  of 
total  indolence  have  exposed  the  wretched 
culprit  ?  He  condemns  woman  to  suffering 
and  to  subjection ;  but  these  also  counteract 
the  evils  of  that  supine  rest,  to  which  a  frame 
less  Stted  for  robust  exertion  than  her  part- 
ner's, might  often  expose  her.  Rightly  used, 
they  are  beneficial  in  changing  that  corrupt 
bias  to  which  she  yielded  in  the  original 
transgression ;  they  wean  her  spirit  from  its 
too  fond  attachment  to  this  vain  world,  and 
humble  it  by  the  frequent  recollection,  that 
"  Dust  she  is,  and  unto  dust,  must  ere  long 
return."  But  there  is  yet  a  more  astonish- 
ing mercy  to  be  remembered,  when  medi- 
tating on  this  momentous  transaction :  The 
resources  of  Omnipotent  Love  are  infinite  j 


32 


and  greatly  as  they  had  rebelled,  Jehovah 
forsook  not  the  work  of  his  own  hands. 
He  looked  and  there  was  none  to  help — 
none  to  uphold;  therefore  his  own  arm 
brought  salvation.  *'  God  sent  forth  his 
Son,  made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law." 
The  "  Eternal  Word  was  made  flesh  !" 

It  is  not  indeed  Wonderful,  that  when  once 
conscious  of  disobedience,  the  soul  should 
l"ecoil  from  immediate  contact  with  inflex- 
ible justice.  The  unsullied  purity — the  un- 
speakable dignity  of  his  Omniscient  Judge, 
cannot  fail  to  fill  the  sinner  with  dismay  ; 
and  often  is  he  driven,  by  his  futile  anxiety 
to  forget  his  terrbrs,  to  seek  a  hiding-place 
"  among  the  trees  of  the  garden,"  to  plunge 
deeper  and  deeper  into  creature  worship — 
that  fatal  net  which  first  entangled  his  facul- 
ties, and  is  ever  dragging  them  to  a  wider 
distance  from  their  right  end  and  aim.  But 
redeeming  mercy  makes  her  gentle  sum- 
mons heard.  Can  the  guilty  refuse  to  listen  ? 
•'  To  you,  oh  sons  of  men !  does  she  speak," 
and  will  you  refuse  to  hear  the  voice  of  the 
charmer,  saying,  "God  so  loved  the  world, 
that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that 
whosoever  believeth  on  him  should  not 
perish,  but  should  have  everlasting  life  ?" 
**  Look  unto  Him  and  be  saved  all  ye  ends 


33 


i  of  the  earth?"  A  mediator,  with  claima 
I  irresistible  to  the  confidence  of  both  the 
aUenated  parties,  stands  between  them.  On 
the  one  side,  (and  that  the  side  of  the  Lord 
God  Almighty,)  he  is  accepted,  approved, 
delighted  in.  What  is  wanting,  then  to 
the  reconcihation  ?  Wonder  ye^Heavens, 
and  be  astonished,  oh  Earth"!  when  it  is 
replied, — the  acceptance  of  man  ! 

PRAYER. 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  Oh  Just  and  Holy 
God  !  that  thou  hast  declared  thyself  the 
Justifier  of  him  that  believeth  in  Jesus — 
that  thine  indignation  burneth  not  against 
us  continually,  to  destroy,  but  that  in  wrath 
thou  rememberest  mercy,  ever  saying  unto 
the  children  of  men,  "  Turn  ye,  turn  ye, 
for  why  will  ye  die  ?"  Gracious  Father !  I 
would  now  arise  and  come  unto  thee,  con- 
fessing that  1  have  grievously  transgressed 
thy  righteous  laws,  and  too  slightly  regard- 
ed thy  tender  forbearance  towards  me  hith- 
erto. I  ever  need,  and  fervently  implore 
the  renewing  influences  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
to  take  of  the  things  of  Christ  and  make 
them  unto  me  the  seed  of  everlasting  life 
and  blessedness.  I  adore  thy  kindness  in 
4 


34 


rendering  the  temporal  punishments  of  oor 
guilty  race  beneficial  to  our  fallen  state. 
Oh!  may  I  bear  my  portion  of  them  patient- 
ly, cheerfully,  and  wisely,  so  as  best  to  pre- 
pare me  for  that  hour,  when  the  last  effect 
of  the  curse  shall  be  triumphantly  overcome 
by  the  power  of  the  Saviour.  Wiien  my 
body  shall  return  to  the  dust,  and  my  spirit 
unto  Thee  who  gave  it,  oh  !  may  I  meet 
death  in  the  joyful  hope  of  rising  from  the 
grave,  to  dwell  for  ever  in  thy  presence, 
through  the  merits  of  our  blessed  Lord  and 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. — Amen. 


"In  sorrow  shalt  thou  bring  forth  children."- 
Genesis  iii.  16. 

Not  long  may  woman  hide, 

In  Eden's  happy  bowers; 
Her  doom  is  "  sorrows  multiplied," 

And  not  a  path  of  flowers. 

Hope's  garland  may  be  bright 

In  girlhood's  opening  day. 
But  matron  troubles  early  blight 

Youth  and  her  roses  gay. 

And  shall  she,  therefore,  grieve, 

Or  wish  to  change  her  lot, 
If  sin  be  strengthened  to  deceive, 
Where  suffering  enters  not  ? 


35 


Where  "  changes"  are  unknown, 

Created  gifts  are  dear ; 
But  He  who  showers  them  from  his  throne, 

Where  are  His  thanks  and  fear? 

The  smooth  imruffled  nest, 

Might  sleep  klhargic  woo, 
Welcome  the  storm  that  breaks  such  rest  j 

Welconae  afflictions  too. 

Pain  and  subjection  well 

Mind  woman  of  their  cause, 
And  to  her  humbled  spirit  tell. 

Of  Heaven's  neglected  laws. 

Yes  ;  from  her  very  curse, 

Distils  a  precious  balm. 
As  dews  of  godly  sorrow  nurse, 

The  saint's  eternal  palm. 

Scarce  was  that  curse  pronounced 

On  disobedient  Eve, 
Ere  the  consoling  Judge  announced, 

What  Mary  should  achieve  ; 

That  handmaid  of  the  Lord, 
Her  wondrous  Seed  hath  borne  ; 

Our  God  by  Woman  hath  restored 
What  woman's  guilt  had  shorn ,- 


36 

Then  weep  not  nor  repine, 
Ye  daughters  at  your  state, 

Behold  for  you  the  Scriptures  shine 
With  gems  of  heavenly  weight. 

"She  shall  be  saved,"  they  say, 
"  Through  her  severest  woe, 

If  on  her  sober,  holy  way, 
In  faith  and  love  she  go." 


MEDITATION  VII. 

"  Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  thee,  ye  must  be  born 
again," — John  iii.  7. 

What  a  contrast  to  the  self-seeking  ha- 
rangues .of  many  human  teachers  is  to  be 
perceived,  in  the  calm  yet  dignified  simpli- 
city, with  which  the  Lord  Jesus  delivered 
his  instructions.  Replete  with  heavenly 
wisdom,  he  yet  sought  not  to  display  it. 
He  desired  not  that  his  own  praises  should 
be  sounded,  but  the  glory  of  his  Father  pro- 
moted. He  desired  not  that  the  voice  of 
astonishment  should  be  uplifted,  to  magnify 


37 


the  perfection  of  his  precepts,  the  "  entic- 
ing words"  of  his  oratory,  or  the  originahty 
of  his  system  of  doctrine.  Marvel  not !— r 
Art  thou  a  Master  in  Israel,  and  knowest 
not  these  things?  What  is  written  in  the 
law  !  how  readest  thou? — Expressions  like 
these,  leading  the  hearers  rather  to  wonder 
at  their  own  culpable  darkness,  than  to  ex- 
tol the  illunr)ination  of  their  teacher,  plainly 
shew  that  it  was  their  edification,  not  their 
admiration,  which  Jesus  desired, — not  to 
be  taken  by  force  and  made  a  King,  envi- 
roned with  outward  splendour,  but  to  reign 
in  their  hearts,  unto  the  glory  of  God,  even 
the  Father.  Oh  !  how  apparent  is  it  that 
such  was  the  spirit  of  that  Divine  Re- 
deemer, who  came  not  to  do  his  own  will, 
but  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  him  in  accom- 
plishing the  salvation  of  them  that  beheve 
on  his  name.  That  such  was  also  the 
spirit  of  his  early  disciples,  very  evidently 
appears  from  several  passages  of  their  writ- 
ings. One  short  expression  of  the  Apostle 
Paul  may  be  quoted  as  an  example ;  it 
beautifully  expresses  the  temper  which  he 
had  imbibed,  not  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel, 
but  of  Jesus,  "We  seek  not  yours,  but 
you."  To  win  souls  from  destruction  to 
duty, — to  thwart  evil, — to  implant,  revive, 


38 


and  multiply  good  ;  these  were  the  spiritual 
meat  and  drink  of  Christ  in  his  earthly  hu- 
miliation. Christians !  should  they  not 
also  be  yours?  Instruments  tilted  by  his 
Spirit  for  agency  in  his  cause,  should  you 
seek  other  and  meaner  objects  than  his 
glory,  in  any  ministrations  to  which  you 
may  be  called? 

But  let  me  now  return  to  meditate  on  the 
Lord's  assertion,  "Ye must  be  born  again," 
and  his  intimation  that  in  announcing  this, 
he  was  speaking  of  an  already  known  and 
received  truth,  not  putting  forth  a  novel  and 
mysterious  revelation  ;  or,  as  it  would  seem, 
Nicodemus  had  imagined,  a  prediction  of 
some  supernatural  interference  with  the 
course  of  human  events.  The  previous 
and  convincing  miracles  of  Christ  seem  to 
have  prepared  the  inquiring  Pharisee  to  give 
a  literal  interpretation  to  the  tigureof  a  new 
birth,  uncfer  which  the  Lord  had  represented 
the  nature  of  conversion  ;  so  that  he  appears 
to  have  expected  a  miraculous  demonstra- 
tion of  Almighty  Power  connected  with  the 
words,  "Ye  must  be  born  again."  But  if 
such  were  his  error,  he  was  not  long  per- 
mitted to  entertain  it.  The  nature  of  this 
absolutely  requisite  renovation  was  distinct- 
ly described  as  an  earthly  thing,  attended 


39 


with  no  miraculous  evidences,  no  shakings  of 
the  earth,  nor  thunderings  of  the  heavens  : 
No  marvelUngs  of  men,  nor  manifestation 
of  angels,  were  to  be  its  consequences,  but 
the  still  small  voice  which  none  heareth 
save  the  happy  soul  within  which  it  whis- 
pers. Yet  as  surely,  as  undeniably,  was  it 
to  be  proved  to  exist  by  its  influences  on 
the  heart  and  conduct,  as  the  winds  of 
heaven  are  proved  to  be  in  motion,  by  the 
echoing  blasts  or  the  yielding  boughs,  of  the 
forests  which  they  visit.  And  must  all  be 
thus  renovated?  "That  which  is  born  of 
the  flesh  is  flesh." — If  any  can  plead  ex- 
emption from  such  a  natural  condition,  they 
and  they  alone  may  rightly  deem  that  to 
them  a  new  birth  from  above  \\ould  be  su- 
perfluous. If  any  be  now  living  the  life 
that  they  Jive  in  the  flesh  by  the  faith  of 
the  Son  of  God,  who  gave  himself  for  them, 
who  died  for  them,  who  lives  for  them — 
they  are  created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus. 
They  are  the  children  of  God  by  faith. 
May  they  walk,  obediently,  not  fashioning 
themselves  according  to  the  former  lusts  in 
their  ignorance,  but  pressing  ever  towards 
the  mark  for  the  prize  of  their  high  calling. 
But,  ohi  for  more  vigour  of  faith,  more 
singleness  of  heart,  more  unsophisticated 


40 


humility  in  crediting  the  assurances  of  our 

Father's  gracious  message,  and  embracing 
the  condescending  offers  of  his  love.  Oh ! 
for  grace  to  receive  the  truth  in  the  love 
of  it,  with  the  undoubting  simplicity  of  a 
little  child,  that  questions  not  the  kindness, 
the  sufficiency,  the  constancy,  of  parental 
care;  but  lives  from  hour  to  hour  upon  its 
continued  vigilance.  Thus  to  trust  in  our 
God  is  everlasting  strength.  To  them  that 
receive  Christ, — a  free  gift,  a  willing  Saviour 
— power  is  given  to  become  the  sons  of 
God.  Believe  on  his  name,  and  ye  are 
born  again.  Believe  strongly,  and  you  shall 
have  life  abundantly.  Waste  not  time  in 
fallacious,  useless,  disquisitions  as  to  the 
manner  of  that  holy  change,  which  must 
tjualify  you  for  a  blissful  inheritance.  Make 
it  not  a  mere  subject  of  marvelling  specula- 
tion, but  once  convinced  of  its  necessity  by 
the  existence  of  even  one  allowed  sin  within 
your  heart,  make  it  rather  a  subject  of 
prayer,  till  the  invaluable  blessing  be  ob- 
tained, till  the  Spirit  be  poured  on  you  from 
on  High,  and  witness  with  your  spirits, 
that  you  are  accepted  in  the  beloved, — the 
children  of  God  by  adoption  and  grace. 
Lord  increase  our  faith,  and  be  Thou  cur 
all  in  all. 


41 


PRAYER. 


Oh  God !  from  whose  inexhaustible  ful- 
ness Cometh  down  every  good  and  every 
perfect  gift,  and  who  art  ever  inviting  thy 
guilty  and  unworthy  creatures  to  come  unto 
thee,  according  to  thy  rich  mercies  revealed 
in  the  Gospel,  for  light,  and  life,  and  ever- 
lasting strength,  incline  me  effectually,  I 
pray  thee,  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  obey  the 
repeated  calls  of  thy  word  to  repentance 
and  faith.  Thy  word  is  the  incorruptible 
seed  of  hohness.  Make  it  fruitful,  I  beseech 
thee,  in  my  renewed  soul, — that  seeing  I 
may  so  see,  and  hearing  I  may  so  hear,  as 
to  be  regenerated  in  heart  and  mind,  hence- 
forth abhorring  and  renouncing  every  sin, 
and  perseveringly  contending  against  every 
temptation-,  through  thy  gracious  help  and 
imdeserved  goodness  in  Christ  Jesus,  our 
Lord  and  Saviour. — Amen. 


42 


"  Except  .ye  he  converted  and  become  as  little 
children,  ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven." — Matthe-w  xviii  3. 

"  In  quietness  and  in  confidence  shall  be  your 
strength."— /saiaft  xxx.  15. 

To  a  very  young  Infant. 

Dear  object  of  a  parent's  prayer! 

How  peaceably  and  sweetly 
Thou'rt  resting  on  Ihy  mother's  care, 

And  trusting  her  completely. 

Thou  thinkest  not,  with  anxious  fear, 
Of  future  wants  distressing; 

Enough  for  thee,  if  she  be  near. 
Who  waits  but  their  expressing. 

Thou  dreamest  not,  her  love  depends 
On  aught  thy  hand  can  give  her; 

Nor  that  thine  infant  power  extends 
Thy  perils  to  deliver. 

But  tender  thoughts  of  kindness  past, 

Reposing  trust  awaken ; 
And  freely  all  thy  cares  are  cast, 

Where  freely  they  are  taken. 

'Twere  well,  dear  babe,  of  thee  to  learn 
Such  simple,  strong  believing. 

And  in  a  Saviour's  love  discern 
Our  warrant  for  receiving. 


43 

'Twere  well  to  trust  his  gracious  Word, 
Not  weigh  our  own  deserving; 

And  calmly  rest,  whate'er  occurr'd, 
Upon  his  safe  preserving. 

As  "  little  children"  he  invites 

Our  full  and  free  confiding, 
And  in  the  filial  heart  delights 

Still  in  his  love  abiding. 

Our  happiness  is  just  to  leave 

Ourselves  to  his  direction  ; 
The  sole  return  that  we  can  give, 

Our  reverence  and  affection. 


MEDITATION  VIII. 


"  Oh  Lord !  how   manifold    are  thy  works :   in 
■wisdom  hast  ihou  made  them  all." — Psalm  civ.  24. 


Infinite  skill,  commanding  infinite  re- 
sources might  well  be  supposed  capable  of 
producing  a  world  of  wonders  ;  and  in  such 
a  world  do  we  live.    Researches,  diligently 


44 


made  through  many  successive  centuries, 
have  still  discovered  within  its  shpere,  new 
fields  of  observation,  unexplored  by  those 
that  preceded  them.  Yet  not  one  leaf  of 
the  book  of  science  has  ever  been  perused 
without  displaying,  in  still  brighter  charac- 
ters than  before,  this  testimony  of  the 
Psalmist  concerning  the  works  of  the  Most 
High,  that  "in  wisdom  hath  he  made  them 
all."  That  record  standeth  sure.  Placed 
beneath  the  searching  influences  of  micro- 
scopic investigation,  (like  a  secretly  written 
manuscript,  whose  important  information 
might  long  remain  invisible,  did  not  fire,  or 
some  other  efficient  agency,  bring  it  into 
view,)  the  utmost  concentration  of  human 
talent,  employed  in  examining  the  structure 
and  arrangement  of  this  world  and  its  in- 
habitants, has  but  yielded  forth  new  proofs 
of  creative  Omnipotence,  Intelligence,  and 
considerate  Benevolence.  The  minutest 
touches  of  nature's  great  record,  as  well  as 
that  magnificent  vault  of  heaven,  where 
suns  and  planets,  comets  and  satellites  form 
the  vast  materials  of  her  alphabet,  testify 
unvaryingly  the  same  great  truth.  From 
the  obscurest  cavern  of  earth,  as  from  the 
immeasureable  distances  of  space,  echoes 
the  same  interrogation,  "  Canst  thou  by 


45 


earching  find  out  God ;  canst  thou  find  out 
ihe  Almighty  to  perfection?" 

The  Divine  Infinitude  is  indeed  daily  and 
hourly  corroborated.  Every  beam  of  light 
that  visits  us,  fitted  as  it  is  in  every  possible 
respect  for  the  organs  which  are  to  receive 
and  use  it,  witnesses  this  great  truth.  Every 
breath  we  inhale, — impossible  as  it  would 
be  for  us  to  exist  were  the  present  just  pro- 
portion of  its  constituent  parts  impaired, — 
gives  it  confirmation ;  and  yet,  does  not  that 
sacred  Word,  which  like  the  visible  things 
of  creation,  is  the  more  wonderful,  the  more 
minutely  it  is  scrutinized,  does  it  not  assert 
that  there  are  those  who  regard  not  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  neither  consider  the  oper- 
ation of  his  hands  ;  and  others,  who  make 
indeed  an  extorted  acknowledgment  of  his 
existence,  yet  nullify  it  as  to  any  moral 
efTects,  by  saying,  the  Lord  will  not  do  good, 
neither  will  he  do  evil  ?  If  there  be  there- 
fore, alas !  fools  who  still  say  in  their  hearts, 
"  There  is  no  God," — who  mock  at  sin,  say- 
ing, "  He  will  never  see  it," — melancholy  as 
that  fact  is,  let  us  remember  it  is  neverthe- 
less an  attestation  of  Scripture,  which  so 
well  defines  the  scoffers  of  the  last  days, 
as  "  walking  after  their  own  lusts,"  care- 
lessly, contentedly,  and  as  if  the  eye  of  an 


46 


onslumbering  God  were  not  always  upon 
them. 

Awful  state  of  practical  infidelity!  yet 
how  little  aware  of  their  condition  are  many 
who  are  nevertheless  deeply  sunk  in  its 
guilt !  They  would  start  and  shrink  from 
the  imputation  were  they  called  Atheists  ; 
but  to  ichat  purpose  are  they  otherwise,  if 
they  can  as  fearlessly  plunge  into  the 
iniquities  which  God  abhors,  as  though  the 
Lord  were  not  a  God  of  knowledge,  by 
whom  actions  are  weighed  ? 

My  soul,  this  is  a  profitable  subject  for 
self-searching  humiliation.  Thou  believest 
that  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent  reigneth, 
that  by  Him  and  for  his  pleasure  were  all 
things  created,  that  the  grand  end  and  object 
of  all  being  is  to  glorify  Him,  his  Power, 
his  Wisdom,  his  Justice,  his  Holiness,  and 
his  Love.  Art  thou  in  any  way,  and  to  the 
extent  of  thine  ability,  fulfilling  this  end? 
Art  thou  glorifying  Him?  admiring  his 
works,  wherever  they  are  placed  before 
thee  and  their  consummate  excellence  de- 
veloped ?  adoring  his  goodness  in  their 
adjustment  to  the  comfort  of  intelligent 
creatures  ?  especially  art  thou  remembering 
that  He  who  made  all,  who  preserves  all, 
must  needs  be  present  with  all  ?    That  to 


47 


Him  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  are  revealed, 
and  that  unreserved  obedient  devotedness 
from  those  who  are  endowed  with  faculties 
to  bestow  it,  is  his  undoubted  right?  My 
Boul,  bind  down  thy  wandering  powers  to 
reflect  seriously  on  these  questions,  and 
thou  wilt  infallibly  find  cause  to  reply,  "  I 
liave  sinned,  I  have  perverted  my  wa)'.  I 
have  forgotten  God  my  Maker.  Deliver 
me,  oh  Lord  !  by  the  ransom  thou  hast 
found,  lest  I  go  down  into  the  pit,  for  the 
wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell,  and  all  the 
people  which  forget  God." 

Neither  let  any  one  say,  I  am  no  philoso- 
pher. I  understand  not  the  discoveries  of 
science.  I  have  no  means  of  studying  them. 
I  am  safe  from  the  charge  of  neglecting  to 
praise  God  for  the  wisdom  of  his  works, 
on  this  plea  of  my  ignorance.  The  most 
illiterate  among  us  has  in  his  own  frame, — 
"  fearfully  and  marvellously  made,"  and 
"  curiously  wrought"  as  it  is,  enough  to 
prove,  beyond  the  shadow  of  rational  doubt, 
that  the  hand  that  "  made  him  is  divine." 
To  set  in  motion,  and  preserve  in  order, 
such  complicated  machinery  as  it  exhibits, 
— to  adapt  its  members,  in  the  most  admira- 
ble manner,  for  their  several  functions,  and 
to  place  them  all  under  the  direction  of  the 


48 


indwelling  soul, — required  the  exertion  of 
such  Intellect,  such  Foresight,  such  Scope 
of  Design,  that  had  we  only  this  to  contem- 
plate, and  did  we  contemplate  it  as  steadily 
and  frequently  as  we  ought,  we  could  not 
long  withstand  the  conviction,  that  "  Verily 
this  is  done  by  the  finger  of  God ;"  nor 
withhold  the  adoring  confession.  Oh  Lord  ! 
our  Governor,  "  How  excellent  is  thy  name 
in  all  the  earth  !» 

PRAYER. 

Glorious  and  ever  blessed  God !  I  am 
astonished  and  awed  by  the  infinity  of  thy 
Power,  and  the  innumerable  exertions  of  thy 
Wisdom,  by  which  I  am  continually  encom- 
passed. By  thy  Spirit,  Thou  hast  garnished 
the  heavens,  calling  out  their  hosts  by  num- 
ber! T-he  vast  ocean  is  measured  as  in  the 
hollow  of  thine  hand.  The  dust  of  the  whole 
earth  is  comprehended  in  a  measure ;  for 
thou  distinctly  perceivest  and  providest  for 
its  minutest  living  atom.  There  is  no 
searching  of  thine  understanding.  Thou 
doest  great  things  past  finding  out ;  yea,  and 
wonders  without  number.  Yet,  oh  Lord  ! 
God  of  Power  and  Might,  of  Knowledge 
and  Wisdom,  thou  art  also  the  good  Shep- 


49 


herd  of  thy  believing  servants,  and  the 
lambs  of  thy  flock  are  dear  to  thee.  They 
that  wait  on  thee  shall  run  in  thy  ways  and 
not  be  weary,  and  thou  upholdest  them  that 
seek  no  other  helper.  Without  thy  con- 
tinual care,  oh  good  Lord  !  wliere  had  we 
now  been  ?  Amidst  the  perils  of  feeble 
infancy,  what  else  could  have  preserved  our 
bodies  ?  And  amidst  far  worse,  because 
spiritual  dangers,  what  else  can  maintain  us 
in  the  life  of  faith  and  holiness  ?  Both  for 
body  and  soul,  do  1  now  entrust  myself,  and 
all  those  that  I  love,  to  thy  fatherly  care, 
for  all  eternity,  through  thy  manifested 
loving-kindness,  in  thy  blessed  Son  our 
S^iviour,  Jesus  Christ. — Amen. 


*'  Thine  hands  have  made  me,  and  fashioned  i 
together  round  about."— Jo6  x.  8. 

In  every  work  of  thine, 
Thou  only  Great  and  wise ! 

The  demonstrations  of  design 
Are  laid  before  our  eyes. 

The  heavens  thy  glory  shew, 
The  stars  speak  loud  to  man  ; 

"  Behold  us,  as  we  circling  glow, 
And  own  Creation's  plan." 
5 


50 


The  earth  with  riches  filled, 

The  wide  replenish'd  sea, 
Proclaim  no  less — 'twas  Goodness  will'd, 

And  Might  that  made  us  be* 

Yet  infant  of  a  day. 

Thy  little  frame  would  seem, 
With  voice  more  powerful  than  they, 

To  tell  the  glorious  theme. 

A  thousand  fibres  twine, 

Throughout  each  feeble  limb  ; 

Muscles,  and  nerves,  and  veins,  corabincj 
All,  all  to  speak  of  Him. 

No  eye  that  work  could  mark  ; 

In  secret  wast  thou  made ; 
Yet,  members  fashion'd  in  the  dark, 

In  symmetry  were  laid  ! 

Admiring  awe  and  fear, 

Divide  ray  powers  of  thought, 

So  complex  !  and  such  perils  near ! 
Yet  safe  through  perils  brought. 

My  soul,  thou  marv'lest  much, 

How  sceptic  should  deny. 
Strong  evidence  of  sight  and  touch, 

Declaring,  "  God  is  nigh." 


51 


Oh  !  marvel  deeply  more, 

Examining  within, 
That  thou,  who  scann'st  it  o'er  and  o'er, 

Should'st  ever  dare  to  sin  ! 


MEDITATION  IX. 


"  Sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law." 

1st  John  iii.  4; 

The  Apostle  does  not  even  add  the  law  of 
God;  what  that  law  really  is, — the  breadth 
of  its  requirements,  and  the  force  of  its 
sanctions,  might  then  have  become  the 
questions  fox  discussions ;  but  on  these  he  is 
not  at  present  arguing.  His  assertion  is,  in 
fact,  true  of  every  law,  which  is  acknow- 
ledged by  the  transgressor  of  it  to  emanate 
from  authority  competent  to  direct  his 
actions.  The  Gentiles  were  a  law  unto 
themselves,  and  were  criminal  in  transgress- 
ing it.  Wilfully  departing  from  what  their 
own  conscience  and  philosophy  (defective 
as  these  were)  instructed  them  to  observe, 
they  were  brought  in  guilty  before  Jehovah, 


52 


even  had  they  never  heard  of  his  personal 
exislence,  nor  witnessed  those  outward  to- 
kens of  his  "Eternal  Power  and  Godhead," 
which  left  them  without  excuse  when  they 
refused  to  retain  Him  in  their  knowledge. 
Of  those  whom  the  Gospel  has  not  yet 
reached,  the  same  may  he  declared.  Insuf- 
ficient, and  even  false  as  are  their  notions  of 
true  good,  and  misplaced  their  dependence 
on  their  deluded  lawgivers  ;  yet,  the  delib- 
erate act  of  preferring,  to  what  is  supposed 
good,  that  v;hich  is  believed  to  be  evil, 
^vhile  this  is  done  for  the  gratification  of 
self,  and  as  rejecting  lawful  subordination, 
as  foully  proves  the  individuals  so  offending 
to  be  sinners  after  the  similitude  of  Adam's 
transgression,  as  if  the  law  to  which  they 
pi-ofess  obedience  were  in  itself  perfect. 

But  if  those  shall  be  accounted  liable  for 
the  stripes  of  a  just  condemnation,  who  have 
thus  lifted  up  the  hand  of  rebellion  against 
natural  conscience,  or  the  commands  of  err- 
ing legislators,  of  how  much  sorer  punish- 
ment think  we,  shall  they  be  found  worthy, 
who  have  trodden  under  foot  the  authority  of 
the  Son  of  God,  and  who,  instead  of  valuing 
the  privilege  of  being  numbered  among  his 
visible  church,  count,  as  it  were,  the  blood 
of  that  covenant,  wherewith  they  have  been 


53 


so  set  apart  as  a  peculiar  people,  an  unholy, 
or  a  worthless  thing?  What  shall  we 
think  of  those  who  have  in  their  possession 
a  perfect  rule,  and  an  unfailing  standard  of 
principle  and  conduct,  who  profess  to  sub- 
mit to  it,  yet  even  when  fully  aware  of  its 
injunctions  and  prohibitions,  fearlessly  dis- 
regard and  infringe  them  ?  Verily,  if  he 
that  committeth  sin  by  choosing  what  he 
only  imagines  to  be  evil,  offendeth  Him 
who  enjoins  purify  in  the  inmost  parts,  rec- 
titude in  the  will,  and  uprightness  in  the 
actions, —  then  must  every  mouth  be  stopped, 
and  every  individual  pronounced  guilty 
against  God.  Many  will,  however,  confess 
thus  much,  who  will  by  no  means  allow 
their  minds  to  go  forward  to  the  conse- 
quences which  hang  upon  the  admission. 
Though  convinced  of  the  law,  as  trans- 
gressors, they  yet  put  aside  those  awful 
denunciations,  "  The  soul  that  sinneth  it 
shall  die,"  "  The  wraih  of  God  is  revealed 
from  heaven  against  all  ungodliness  and 
unrighteousness  of  men,"  &c. — as  inappli- 
cable to  their  own  case — blessing  them- 
selves in  their  hearts  they  say,  "Peace, 
peace,"  where  there  is  no  peace,  and  walk 
on  in  their  vain  imaginations,  undisturbed 
by  the  fear  of  impending  wrath, — satisfied 


54 


that  "  all  will  be  well  at  last."  Various  are 
the  self-soothing  conlrivances  of  man  to 
free  himself  from  all  uneasiness  on  these 
momentous  subjects.  It  might  be  easy  to 
extend  our  meditations  by  reflecting  on 
these  several  fallacies  ;  but  unbelief  of  God's 
testimony  is  the  agent  which  in  every  one 
of  them  blinds  the  deceived  arguers  ;  and 
it  matters  comparatively  little,  whether  she 
choose  the  material  that  hoodwinks  them, 
from  the  embroidered  stores  of  human  rea- 
soning, and  venture  to  suppose  the  execu- 
tion of  Divine  Justice  inconsistent  with  the 
Infinity  of  Divine  Mercy  ;  or  snatching  up 
the  flimsy  veil  of  the  voluptuary,  blinds 
their  eyes  to  the  nearness  of  eternity,  while 
a  vague  whisper  silences  the  strivings  of 
conscience,  saying,  "  There  will  be  time 
enough  yet  for  thoughts  like  these."  Nu- 
merous and  subtle  as  the  devices  of  Satan 
may  be,  to  produce  in  us  an  unsafe  security^ 
when  the  word  of  the  Lord  goeth  forth,  as 
a  mighty  warrior,  conquering  and  to  con- 
quer, as  the  fire  devoureth  the  crackling 
thorns,  and  as  the  flame  consumes  the  stub- 
ble, they  vanish  before  it.  The  sinner  won- 
ders at  the  callous  ears  which  so  long  heard 
its  convincing  statements  of  his  condition, 
without  carrying  to  his  conscience  one  feel- 


55 


ing  of  their  truth,  and  like  a  swimmer  I 
have  lately  read  of,  who,  in  his  sleep,  ven- 
tured into  the  ocean,  wakes  to  a  conscious- 
ness of  peril,  more  or  less  awful  perhaps, 
according  to  the  depths  whereto  he  may 
hare  ventured  ;  but  in  its  mildest  form  suf- 
ficiently overwhelming  to  absorb  every  other 
thought,  while  he  cries  aloud,  "  What  shall 
I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  As  the  moon,  bursting 
from  the  cloud  that  long  obscured  her,  a 
beam  of  hope  from  the  hitherto  neglected 
Gospel,  crosses  his  soul,  and  shews  him  the 
rock  of  safety.  Is  not  Jesus  the  Saviour  ? 
Has  he  not  suffered  the  just  for  the  unjust  ? 
Has  He  not  redeemed  his  people  from  the 
curse  of  the  law  ?  Is  He  not  a  hiding  place 
from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  from  the  tem- 
pest ?  Lord  save  me,  or  I  perish.  Thus  is 
Christ  the  end  of  the  law  to  every  one  that 
believeth. 

But  that  is  not  belief  which  only  sees  him 
to  be  a  Saviour.  There  are  hearers  of  the 
law  who  behold  as  in  a  glass  their  natural 
face,  yet  go  their  way,  and  straight-way 
forget  what  manner  of  creatures  they  are. 
Oh  !  that  we  may  not  only  look  into  that 
perfect  law  of  liberty,  whereby  Christ  Jesus 
is  made  unto  us  Wisdom  and  Righteous- 
ness, Sanctification  and  Redemption,    but 


56 


continue  therein,  as  doers  of  the  works 
which  it  enjoins  to  his  glory.  Those  whom 
God  justifies,  them  He  also  glorifies;  a 
wilful  continuance  in  sin  can  never  be  glo- 
rious; what  therefore  God  has  joined  to- 
gether, let  not  man  put  asunder;  but  that 
we  may  perfect  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God^ 
let  us  be  ever  looking  unto  Jesus  as  the 
author  and  finisher  of  our  faith  ;  as  our  ex- 
ample, our  atonement,  our  advocate,  our 
shield  on  earth,  and  our  exceeding  great 
reward  for  ever,  yea,  even  for  ever. 

PRAYER. 

What  shall  I  say  unto  thee,  oh  I  thou  ob- 
server of  men  ?  When  I  remember  thy 
righteous  law,  and  my  innumerable  back- 
slidings  ?  Behold  I  am  vile  !  I  abhor  myself 
in  dust  and  ashes  !  Heal  me,  oh  Lord,  and 
I  shall  be  healed  ;  turn  me  and  1  shall  be 
turned.  Surely  in  vain  is  salvation  hoped 
for,  except  through  thy  rich  mercy  in  Christ 
Jesus,  for  thou  art  a  just  God  and  hatest 
iniquity,  and  wilt  by  no  means  clear  the 
guilty,  therefore  ha?t  thou  laid  on  Him, 
whom  the  rulers  despised,  whom  man  re- 
jected, the  iniquity  of  us  all,  that  He  might 
bear  it  far  away  into  the  wilderness,  whence 


57 


it  should  never  return  to  witness  against  the 
contrite  and  believing  soul.  May  I  be  en- 
abled by  thee  to  lay  my  hand,  in  true  faith, 
on  the  Lamb  that  taketh  away  the  sins  of 
the  world.  Sprinkled  with  the  blood  of 
Jesus,  may  I  obtain  confidence  and  comfort 
in  the  hour  of  affliction,  and  serenity  on  the 
bed  of  death,  and  at  length  arrive  in  safety 
where  I  shall  keep  thy  holy  law  perfectly, 
delightedly,  and  for  ever. — Amen. 


"The  sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strength  of 
sin  is  the  Ja\v  ;  but  thanks  be  to  God  who  giveih  its 
the  victory  tlirough  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

1st  Corintfiia7Js  XV.  56,  57. 

Hadst  thou,  oh  God  !  in  judgment  turned, 

To  view  thy  creatures'  sin, 
Had  thy  just  wrath  in  vengeance  burned 

With  nought  to  intervene  ; 

"Where  should  we  then  have  found  a  place, 

Our.wretchedness  to  hide? 
Or  to  escape  thine  awful  face. 

What  way  of  refuge  tried  ? 

When  to  the  couch  of  sickness  led, 

What  horrors  had  been  there. 
While  conscience  strewed  the  restless  bed 

With  thorns  of  sharp  despair ! 


68 

But  oh !  for  words  of  wonder  vast, 

Of  gratitude  immense  ! 
God  on  his  well-loved  Son  hath  cast 

The  weight  of  man's  offence. 

His  well-loved  Son,  in  pity  free, 

Our  Rescuer  became, 
And  fenced  a  tower  where  faith  might  flee 

From  fear,  and  wrath,  and  shame. 

Thither  my  guilty  spirit  fled. 

When  rose  the  offended  law, 
And  wielded  o'er  my  conscious  head 

The  weapons  of  its  awe. 

Thither  I  fled,  for  Jesus  called 

And  helped  me  to  obey. 
And  in  that  fortress,  once  installed, 

Who  shall  forbid  my  stay  ? 

Approacheth  now  affliction's  fire  ? 

It  burns  but  to  refine  ; 
Pain  is  no  longer  penal  ire. 

But  chastening  love  divine. 

Sweet  thought,  and  full  of  hallowing  peace, 
Through  sorrow,  pain,  and  fear, 

Eternal  love  can  never  cease, 
Eternal  love  is  here. 


69 


MEDITATION  X. 

"  Oh  that  God  would  speak,  and  open  his  lips 
against  thee,  and  that  He  would  shew  thee  the  se- 
crets of  wisdom,  that  they  are  double  to  that  which  is. 
Know  therefore  that  God  exacteth  of  thee  less  than 
thine  iniquity  deserveth. — Job  xi.  5,  6. 

Good  were  the  words  of  Zophar,  the 
Naamathite,  when  he  thus  reminded  his 
suffering,  but  repining  friend,  that  the  act- 
ings of  an  all-wise  Providence  are  not  to  be 
meted  with  the  measure  of  earth,  nor  com- 
pared with  the  expansive  ocean,  but  extend 
their  consequences  into  a  boundless  eternity. 
Job  had  cried  out  in  the  bitterness  of  his 
soul,  under  almost  unparalleled  afflictions. 
"  Changes  and  war  are  against  me."  He 
had  bewailed,  what  he  considered  the  re- 
newed witnesses  of  the  Lord's  indignation 
against  him,  so  keenly,  that  he  had  been 
even  betrayed  into  expressions  of  regret, 
because  the  gift  of  existence  had  been 
bestowed  upon  him,  or  not  withdrawn  im- 
mediately after  his  birth  :  "  Wherefore 
hast  thou  brought  me  forth  out  of  the 
womb?  Oh  that  I  had  given  up  the  ghost, 
and  no  eye  had  seen  me  !" 


60 


And  if  even  that  eminently  pious  man, 
who  feared  God  and  eschewed  evil,  and 
whose  meekness  of  resignation  has  been 
enshrined  by  the  Inspired  Word  as  a  pattern 
for  succeeding  ages, — was  so  overcome  by 
bodily  and  mental  anguish,  as  to  forget  for 
a  while  that  the  Most  Higl\  doth  not  arbi- 
trarily afflict,  nor  wantonly  grieve  the  chil- 
dren of  men,  and  to  vent  his  sorrovvsin  such 
unbecoming  language,  who  are  we  that  we 
should  be  able  to  stand,  were  similar  trials 
to  assail  u?  ;  or  how  can  we  be  sure  that  the 
weight  of  a  far  lighter  burden  might  not  be 
too  heavy  for  our  faith  to  counterpoise? 
"  Lead  us  not  into  temptation"  is  wisely 
ordained  to  be  our  daily  petition,  and  sweet 
is  the  corresponding  promise,  "  God  is  faith- 
ful who  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted 
beyond  that  ye  are  able,  but  will  also  with 
the  temptation  make  a  way  for  you  to 
escape,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it." 

The  promises  are,  however,  in  our  days 
fulfilled,  noi  by  miracle,  but  by  extraordinary 
blessings  upon  ordinary  means,  especially 
by  enlightening  our  minds  to  derive  comfort 
from  the  sacred  precepts  of  revelation,  and 
the  testimonies  of  God  as  suited  to  Ihe 
peculiar  necessities  of  our  case.  If,  then, 
we  be  in  heaviness  through  manifold  tribula- 


61 


tions,  if  "without  be  fightings,  and  within 
be  fears,"  so  that  we  areas  it  were  "  pressed 
out  of  measure,"  '*  beyond  strength,"  ipay 
not  the  support  and  consolation  we  have 
earnestly  besought,  be  conveyed  to  us  in 
meditating  on  such  a  text  as  that  now  in 
view, — intimating  to  us,  as  it  manifestly 
does,  that  there  is  in  the  secrets  of  the 
Eternal  Mind,  a  "  need  be"  for  every  spe- 
cific tribulation  of  his  saints,  a  "  double  for 
that  which  zs,"  however  dreadful,  however 
overwhelming  may  be  its  present  endurance. 
We  see  but  parts  of  the  Lord's  ways  : 
Justice  and  Mercy  may  sometimes  be  hid  by 
the  tears  with  which  the  exercise  of  Poioer 
dims  our  eyes  ;  but,  "  is  there  iniquity  with 
the  most  High?"  "  Shall  not  the  Judge  of 
all  the  earth  do  right  ?"  "  Know  rather 
that  He  exacteth  of  thee  less  than  thine 
iniquity  deserveth."  Every  stroke  of  his 
scourge  is  but  the  evidence  of  what  he  has 
forborne,  for  were  He  not  slow  to  anger 
and  of  great  mercy,  why  should  that  scourge 
have  been  so  long  withheld,  or  wherefore 
dost  thou  instinctively  hope  for  its  mitigation 
or  removal  ?  Were  this  world  under  any 
but  a  dispensation  of  compassion, — were  it 
governed  by  the  caprices  of  chance,  or  un- 
der the  dominion  of  might  unallied  with 


62 


benevolence — would  not  its  inhabitants 
(strung  together  as  they  are  with  nerves 
of  exquisite  sensibihty,)  be  daily,  hourly, 
agonizing  under  torturing  disarrangements 
of  their  complex  mechanism  ?  would  not 
sufferings,  which  are  now  of  rare  occur- 
rence, be  frequent  and  long  continued,  and 
without  remedy,  unless  indeed  it  be  ima* 
gined  that  some  happy  accident  alone  haa 
stored  the  world  with  medicines  and  pallia- 
tives for  human  misery  ?  And  if  occasion- 
ally, and  for  a  season,  and  to  a  few  individ- 
uals there  arise  complaints  which  baffle 
medical  skill,  and  occasion  intense  agony 
to  the  sufferer,  shall  we  therefore  ven- 
ture to  assert  that  "  God  hath  forgotten  to  be 
gracious  ?"  Suppose  the  case  our  own, 
would  it  not  be  less,  far  less,  than  our  mani- 
fold rebellions  have  warranted  as  an  equit- 
able visitation  ?  Hath  not  God  promised 
to  make 'them  endurable  if  he  remove  them 
not?  Hath  he  not  said,  "My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee,  my  strength  is  made 
perfect  in  weakness  ?" 

And  if  we  are  wearied  and  faint  in  our 
minds,  let  us  consider  the  Captain  of  our 
Salvation  made  perfect  through  suffering, 
Jesus  whose  soul  was  sorrowful  even  unto 
death  j  the  Father,  for  our  imputed  sin,  laid 


63 


on  Him  that  deep  distress;  and  among 
other  fruits  of  this  inestimable  mercy,  we 
are  well  warranted  to  include  the  assurance 
of  our  Saviour's  sympathy  under  our  most 
trying  woes.  Let  us,  then,  draw  refresh- 
ment from  that  well  of  consolation,  and  re- 
member that  if  we  suffer  with  him,  we 
shall  with  him  rejoice.  We  shall  "  shine 
forth  as  the  morning,"  we  shall  forget  our 
misery,  and  remember  it  as  *'  waters  that 
pass  away."  Let  but  our  hearts  be  pre- 
pared, and  our  hands  stretched  forth  to- 
wards him,  while  iniquity  is  put  far  from 
our  hand,  and  wickedness  dwells  not  in 
our  tabernacle,  and  in  the  end,  clad  in  his 
perfect  righteousness,  who  for  us  became  a 
man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief, 
we  shall  lift  up  our  faces  without  spot. 
We  may  "  be  steadfast  and  not  fear," — 
"  we  may  be  secure,"  because  in  Him  there 
is  hope, — there  is  salvation, — there  is  ever- 
lasting felicity. 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Lord !  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  enable  me  so  to  feel  my- 
self in  and  through  Him,  one  of  thy  recon- 
ciled and  beloved  children,  that  under  every 


64 


trying  and  painful  dispensation  of  thy  will, 
I  may  draw  near  to  thee  in  the  confortable 
hope,  that  thou  dealest  with  me  in  mercy, 
not  in  wrath, — with  the  tempered  chastening 
of  a  tender  parent,  and  not  with  the  rigid 
hand  of  a  recompensing  Judge.  May  I  re- 
ceive all  thy  corrections  with  meekness, 
humbly  endeavouring  to  profit  by  their  en- 
durance, and  do  thou,  oh,  Heavenly  Father! 
so  bless  to  me  all  the  afflictions  of  this  mor- 
tal state,  that  they  may  work  out  for  me  an 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory, 
when  the  days  of  my  mourning  shall  be 
ended,  and  sin  and  sorrow  eternally  dis- 
missed, through  the  merits  and  mediation 
of  Jesus  Christ,  my  Saviour. — Amen. 


"  She  remembereth  no  more  the  anguish,  for  joy 
that  a  man  is  born  into  the  world." — John  xvi.  21. 

Oh  man  "of  woman  born  ! 

Thy  upward  path,  through  many  a  con- 
flict lies. 
Thy  early  breath  is  drawn, 
Where  sin  has  fenced  thee  from  a  glori- 
ous prize ; 
And  many  a  wounding  thorn 

Must  pierce  thee  ere  thou  grasp  it  in  the 
skies  ; 
Oh  man  of  woman  born ! 


65 


"Without  a  friend  to  cheer  thy  way  of  woe, 

Art  thou  then  left  to  mourn, 
With  none  thy  bosom's  bitterness  to  know  ? 

Nor  how  thy  heart  is  torn 
With  strugghng  through  the  hated  things 
below ; 

Oh  man  of  woman  born  ! 

Were  such  indeed  thy  miserable  case, 

Sad  were  thy  natal  morn. 
Oh  how  could  anguish  e'er  to  joy  give  place, 

Or  mother  cease  to  mourn, 
Because  she  held  within  her  fond  embrace, 

One  to  Despondence  born  ? 

But  thou  art  not  without  a  pitying  friend, 

Nor  helplessly  forlorn  ! 
One  is  at  hand,  who  "oil  of  joy"  can  send. 

To  comfort  all  that  mourn  ! 
He  who  himself  did  humbly  condescend. 

To  be  of  woman  born. 

Come  then  ye  sorrowing  sinners  to  his  foety 
Who  sorrow's  robe  hath  worn, 

He  is  exalted  to  Dominion's  seat ; 
He  is  salvation's  horn  ; 

Ye  grateful  ransom'd  ones !  his  name  repeat, 
Jesus  of  woman  born. 


66 


MEDITATION  XI. 

"  Who  hath  despised  the  day  of  small  things  ?"— 
Zechariah  iv.  10. 

It  is  no  proof  of  a  superior  mind  to  overlook 
or  contemn  what  by  casual  observers  is 
deemed  unimportant.  Had  Sir  Isaac  New- 
ton when  the  question  occurred  to  him,  "  why 
should  the  apple  infallibly  fall  to  the  ground^ 
and  not  fly  ofl'  into  boundless  space  ?"  dis- 
missed it  from  his  mind  as  unworthy  of  con- 
sideration, those  grand  laws  impressed  on 
nature  by  her  Maker,  and  whereby  the 
heavenly  bodies  are  kept  in  their  several 
orbits,  might  have  been  yet  unattained  by 
human  intellect.  Had  another  philosopher 
disregarded,  as  too  trivial  for  attention,  the 
inquiry  suggested  by  the  force  of  the  rising 
vapour,'  when  it  lifted  the  cover  from  the 
boiling  hquid,  whence  would  then  have 
arisen  our  knowledge  of  the  steam-engine, 
and  all  its  important  advantages? 

To  despise  the  day  of  small  things,  is  in- 
deed, in  various  ways,  a  common  error  ;  the 
commencement  of  many  scientific  improve- 
ments has  been  frequently  discouraged  by 
its  prevalency;  useful  projects  have  been 


67 


retarded ;  works  of  art  utterly  prevented, 
by  the  habit  in  which  men  are  so  apt  to  in- 
dulge of  pouring  contempt  on  insignificant 
beginnings  ;  and  it  is  well,  therefore,  to  be 
on  our  guard  against  it,  even  in  temporal 
things.  With  such  a  feeling  did  the  heathen 
around  Nehemiah  ridicule  his  first  attempts 
to  rebuild  the  walls  of  Jerusalem  :  "  What 
do  these  feeble  Jews  ?  will  they  fortify  them- 
selves ?  will  they  offer  sacrifice  ?  will  they 
make  an  end  in  a  day  ?  Even  that  which 
they  build,  if  a  fox  go  up,  he  shall  even  break 
down  their  stone  wall !"  With  such  a  feel- 
ing also  did  the  Jews  of  Jerusalem  in  Ze- 
rubbabel's  day  regard  his  first  endeavours  to 
rebuild  their  temple,  and  despond,  as  they 
considered  the  magnitude  of  the  work  he 
had  to  accomplish.  But  while  the  Prophet 
remonstrates  with  them  on  this,  and  as- 
sures them  of  a  joyful  completion,  which 
should  make  them  ashamed  of  their  early 
incredulity,  may  not  his  remonstrance  give 
rise  to  a  series  of  reflections  in  our  minds  as 
to  the  building  of  that  spiritual  edifice,  of 
which  the  temple  at  Jerusalem  was  but  a 
symbol?  Our  Lord  has  himself  directed  us 
to  such  an  apphcation,  when,  likening  his 
visible  church  to  a  grain  of  mustard-seed, 
gradually  increasing  in  importance  till  its 


68 


protecting  branches  should  become  well 
known  as  a  safe  and  obvious  shelter,  he 
thus  predicted  that  his  evangeUcal  domin- 
ion, though  then  restricted  to  a  few  humble 
followers,  would  at  last  overspread  the 
earth  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea.  No  less 
has  he  in  another  simile,  that  of  the  leaven 
hidden  in  three  measures  of  meal,  taught  us 
to  avoid  the  tendency  we  are  considering. 
It  might  seem  small  at  first  that  leaven,  and 
its  ef^cts  despicable  ;  but  once  hidden,  the 
whole  would  be  leavened ;  and  the  kingdom 
of  God,  in  the  believer's  heart,  may  be  com- 
pared to  it.  It  enters  into  a  mass,  which 
would  otherwise  be  relinquished  to  corrup- 
tion. It  preserves,  it  elevates,  it  renders  it 
profitable.  But  does  it  this  at  once,  or 
gradually  ?  Christian  !  let  your  experience 
testify  !  Yet  how  cheering  the  assurance, 
that  though  the  process  of  sanctification  be 
slow,  it  is,  it  must  be,  complete.  Mark  the 
words,  till  the  whole  be  leavened.  Not  one 
element  of  evil  shall  remain.  Holiness  shall 
endure  for  ever,  without  spot  or  possibility 
of  stain.  Righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in 
the  Holy  Ghost,  constitute  that  kingdom  to 
which  the  comparison  relates ;  and  if, — 
while  we  deplore  the  slow  progress  they 
make  within  us,  we  have  still  the  testimony 


69 


of  their  certain  existence,  then,  stirring  them 
up  by  prayer,  and  pleading  the  immutable 
promises  for  their  full  developement,  let  us 
not,  in  the  mean  time,  despise  our  day  of 
small  things.  The  Lord  is  able  to  make  all 
grace  abound  towards  us,  and  to  supply  all 
our  need,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  mer- 
cy. In  him  let  us  trust,  and  the  little  one 
shall  become  a  thousand,  and  the  feeblest 
among  us  "  as  David." 

But  there  is  another  and  an  opposite  way 
of  despising  the  day  of  small  things,  far 
more  common  and  far  more  dangerous,  than 
that  already  alluded  to.  The  beginnings  of 
sin  are  small,  nay,  sometimes  they  are  al- 
most imperceptible ;  yet  how  great  a  matter 
a  little  fire  kindleth !  Does  Humility  slum- 
ber at  her  post  ?  is  our  state  of  dependence 
forgotten,  and  an  aperture  thus  left  for  the 
destroyer  ?  With  stealthy  step,  how  readi- 
ly glides  in  the  unsuspected  desire — how 
unprofitably  sUps  by  the  precious  opportu- 
nity— how  quickly  escapes  the  culpable 
expression— Oh  how  shall  they  be  rectified 
or  retrieved?  The  tempter  well  knows  that 
seeming  trifles  are  his  vantage-ground  with 
those  who  have  in  them  any  fear  of  God,  or 
love  to  Jesus.  From  daring  and  open  sin 
they  instinctively  shrink.     From  habitual 


70 


and  allowed  evil  they  are  mercifully  kept  by 
"the  anointing  that  abideth;"  but  who  will 
despise  the  day  of  small  things  when  he 
looks  into  himself,  and  beholds  how  often  the 
spirit  of  unwatchfulness  in  minute  occur- 
rences has  led  him  into  a  way  hedged  about 
with  the  thorns  of  painful  regret  and  con- 
trition, and  caUing  for  salutary  rebukes  from 
Him,  who  will  have  us  in  this  wilderness  to 
be  often  humbled  and  proved,  that  we  may 
know  what  is  in  our  hearts  ;  their  proneness 
to  depart  from  their  only  strength,  and  His 
mercy  in  not  utterly  forsaking  us,  notwith- 
standing all  our  foUies  and  weakness.  But 
let  us  remember  that  even  the  thought  of 
foolishness  is  sin,  and  beware,  yea,  of  its 
smallest  inroads.  As  a  fortress  may  be 
taken  by  the  feeblest  enemy,  entering  in 
disguise,  and  opening  its  gates,  while  the 
defenders  sleep ;  it  behoves  us  therefore  to 
be  watchful,  even  against  the  least  formi- 
dable approaches  of  evil,  and  never  to  lay 
aside  our  armour  of  proof,  till  we  reach  the 
land  M'here  no  enemy  can  assail  us.  In  the 
meantime  it  may  console  us  to  reflect,  that 
even  our  faint,  oiten-remitted  endeavours  to 
promote  the  glory  of  our  Redeemer,  are  not 
over-looked  nor  despised  by  Him.  He  will 
not  quench  the  smoking  flax,  but  kindle  it 


71 


into  a  more  vigorous  flame.  There  is  joy 
among  the  angels  of  God  "over  one  sinner 
that  repenteth,"  and  so  far  from  despising 
our  day  of  small  things,  Jesus  has  himself 
said,  a  single  cup  of  cold  water,  given  in 
the  true  spirit  of  Christian  love  to  him,  and 
to  our  brethren,  shall  in  no  wise  lose  its 
reward. 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Eternal  and  most  Holy  God !  who 
knowest  the  end  from  the  beginning,  and 
dost  discern  the  most  secret  thoughts  and 
intents  of  our  hearts,  we  are  yet  but  in  the 
infancy  of  our  spiritual  being ;  our  highest 
thoughts  of  Thee  are  low  and  deficient, — 
our  endeavours  to  approach  thee  weak  and 
faltering, — our  ignorance  is  great,  and  our 
frailty  distressing.  Have  pity  on  us,  oh 
our  heavenly  Father !  Enlighten  and  uphold 
us.  Keep  us  from  sin,  and  put  us  on  our 
guard  against  its  most  subtle  approaches. 
As  the  eagle  beareth  her  feeble  ones  on  her 
wings,  do  thou,  oh  merciful  Lord !  have 
compassion  on  our  infirmities,  and  lift  up 
our  minds  to  improving  contemplations, 
that,  growing  in  grace  and  in  knowledge, 
we  may  be  prepared,  in  thy  good  time,  for 


72 


the  glorious  inheritance  of  the  saints  in 
hght,  through  the  merits  and  intercession  of 
the  Incarnate  Word,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
— Amen. 


"  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it  doth 
not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be." — 1  John  iii.  2. 

"  When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake  as  a  child,  I  under- 
stood as  a  child,  I  thought  as  a  child;  but  when  I  be- 
came a  man,  I  put  away  childish  things." — 1  Corinth. 
xiii.  11. 


Trace  to  its   source  yon  broad  majestic 

stream, 
Where    navies    float,    and   nations    riches 

teem. 
What  does  it  shew?  a  small  and  shallow 

rill. 
Moistening  the  marshes  of  a  nameless  hill. 


Or  mark  yon  stately  oak !  the  forest's  pride, 
Deep-rooted,  and    with  boughs  extending 

wide ; 
Where  was  it  once  ?  inertly  folded  up 
In  the  small  compass  of  an  acorn  cup. 


73 


Or  lift  thine  eye,  where  yonder  star  minute, 
A  faint  uncertain  ray  appears  to  shoot ; 
Canst  thou  imagine  it  a  sun,  most  bright, 
With  worlds    perhaps  dependant    on    its 
light? 

All  these  are  wonderful ;  yet  stranger  far, 
Than  oak,  or  stream,  or  faintly  beaming 

star. 
The  passive  babe,  upon  the  mother's  knee, 
Viewed  as  a  child  of  immortality. 

Oh !  tis  astonishing  so  frail  a  shell, 
Should  hide  Creation's  mightiest  miracle, 
A  living  soul !  Jehovah's  gifted  breath, 
Placed   in  a  tent   of  weakness!    Life   in 
death! 

Lo !  in  her  secret  chamber  sleeps  the  mind, 
Until  those  cords  mysterious  shall  be  twined, 
By  which  her  busy  handmaids  find  access 
To  break  the  slumbers  of  her  deep  recess. 

Perfect  each  faculty,  complete  each  sense, 
Yet  all  chained  up  in  infant  impotence. 
Bound,   as  it   were,    in    mental   swathing 

band. 
For  Time  to  loosen  with  his  gradual  hand. 


74 


Believer !  in  such  types,  a  picture  see, 
Of  what  the  spirits  blest  consider  thee, 
Thou  glorious  creature  of  ethereal  birth. 
Passing  thy  time  of  pupilage  on  earth ; 

They  view  thee  as  a  jewel  in  the  mine, 
All  rough  and  lustreless;    yet  form'd   to 

shine ; 
Thy  brightest  graces,  as  a  little  spark, 
Just  visible, — because  the  world  is  dark. 

From  thee  to  them  the  interval  how  great ! 
A  baby  and  a  minister  of  state  ; 
And  yet  deny  it,  doubt  it  if  we  can. 
The  babe  as  truly  lives  as  does  the  man. 

Already  does  thy  full  admiring  love, 
Follow  the  rays  that  reach  thee  from  above. 
And  when  thine  eye  can  bear  the  full  orb'd 

blaze, 
Thy  King,  in  all  his  beauty,  waits  thy  gaze. 

Already  dost  thou  nestle  to  that  side. 
Where  all  thy  wants  are  tenderly  supplied. 
Oh  !  keep  thee  closely  to  that  parent  breast. 
For  thou  shalt  find  it  an  eternal  rest. 


75 

MEDITATION  XII. 

'AH  of  you  be  clothed  with  humility-"— 1  Peter  v.  5. 


In  no  respect  does  the  Gospel  present  a 
more  striking  contrast  to  those  maxims  of 
moral  guidance,  which  have  their  origin  in 
motives  unconnected  with  eternity,  than  in 
the  discouragement  which  it  uniformly  gives 
to  a  system  of  actions  founded  on  the  love 
of  fame.  The  heathen  philosophers  esteemed 
this  a  noble  passion,  and  ever  encouraged 
those  feelings  of  rivalry,  and  those  strivings 
of  an  ambition,  falsely  called  heroic,  which 
sprang  from  its  indulgence.  To  live  and  to 
die  undistinguished,  was,  according  to  them, 
to  live  and  to  die  ignobly.  They  even  went 
so  far  in  their  unhallowed  pride,  as  to  con- 
sider it  better  to  be  remembered  for  some 
bold  and  daring  deed,  which  even  their  ethics 
justified  not,  than  to  lie  down  in  an  obscure 
unnoted  grave.  Eratostratus  deemed  it  more 
honourable  that  posterity  should  name  him 


76 


as  the  impious  incendiary  of  the  consecrated 
fane,  than  that  it  should  be  unknown  to 
posterity  that  Eratostratus  ever  hved. 

The  desire  of  celebrity  is  now  indeed 
frequently  directed  into  other  channels  than 
those  which  flow  through  the  ensanguined 
field  of  warfare,  or  live  to  future  ages  in  the 
songs  of  the  minstrel.  Yet  who  will  say 
that  potently  and  influentially  it  acts  not 
among  worldly  men  of  the  present  day? 
Assuredly  it  so  acts.  From  the  youthful 
aspirant  for  the  college  crown,  to  the  can- 
didate for  exaltation,  as  the  most  eloquent 
and  learned  of  the  village  operatives ;  from 
the  statesman  to  the  peasant,  how  often  do 
we  see  ambition  of  this  world's  praise  to  be 
the  sole,  or  most  powerful  incentive  of  effort  ? 
Were  there  no  other  or  better  state  than  the 
present  hfe,  all  this  might  be  of  little  con- 
sequence, it  might  even  be  laudable  as  pro- 
ducing some  advantages  to  society,  which 
the  absence  of  higher  motives  would  other- 
wise deliver  over  to  much  supineness.  But 
are  they  wise  to  seek  honour  from  men,  who 
know  the  eager  pursuit  of  it  to  be  inconsis- 
tent with  the  attainment  of  that  true  honour 
which  Cometh  from  God  only  ?  Yet  there 
is  reason,  I  think,  to  fear  that  such  is  the 
caso  with  many.     There  are  even  in  the 


77 


religious  world  symptoms  plainly  betraying, 
that  the  strife  among  the  disciples  which 
of  them  should  be  the  greatest,  is  not  with- 
out parallel  in  the  present  day.  But  will  it 
avail  any  in  the  day  of  judgment,  to  have 
been  called  an  eminent  Christian,  if  the 
luxuriance  of  those  gifts  which  acquired  for 
him  the  venerable  tide,  had  not  its  deep  root 
in  the  recesses  of  his  closet,  neither  was 
there  continually  consecrated  to  the  glory 
and  referred  to  the  guidance  of  its  great 
Bestower  ?  Alas  !  we  have  all  much  cause 
to  say  on  this  subject,  "Search  me,  oh  God ! 
and  try  my  heart,  and  see  whether  there  be 
any  way  of  wickedness  in  me,  and  lead  me 
in  the  way  everlasting,"  for  when  we  least 
suspect  ourselves  of  lacking  humility,  then 
may  we  be  in  most  imminent  peril  of  pride. 
The  heart  is  very  deceitful ;  even  in  its  purest 
and  most  gracious  actings,  much  base  alloy, 
alas  !  is  mingled.  We  speak  of  God,  and 
for  God  perhaps ;  but  do  we  always,  in  so 
doing,  speak  as  of  the  ability  which  God 
giveth?  Is  there  no  lurking  pride  of  victory, 
no  craving  for  human  applause,  no  deficiency 
of  holy  charity  in  things  whereby  our  light 
shineth  forth  before  men  ?  If  our  actions 
be  performed  to  be  seen  of  them,  or  our 
words  spoken  to  be  admired  of  them,  verily 


78 


we  have  our  reward ;  and  if  there  be  a  strife 
among  us  which  of  us  should  be  accounted 
greatest,  let  it  utterly  cease  when  we  see 
our  blessed,  lowly  Master,  putting  honour 
on  a  little  child  who  seeks  it  not,  and  setting 
him  in  the  midst,  for  observation  and  for 
pre-eminence,  that  he  may  practically  ex- 
emplify how  he  that  humbleth  himself  shall 
be  exalted.  The  entire  subjugation  of  self, 
— the  absorption  of  all  other  glorying  into 
the  glory  of  Jehovah, — seems  to  be  the 
grand  end  of  our  discipline  on  earth ;  and 
the  more  entirely  our  views  and  wishes  are 
condensed  into  this,  the  closer  will  be  our 
membership  with  our  glorified  Head,  for  He 
did  not  his  own  will,  but  the  will  of  the 
Father  who  sent  him.  The  true  honour  of 
the  saints  is  conformity  to  their  Divine  Lord : 
and  "  He  came,  not  to  be  ministered  unto, 
but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom 
for  many."  Whoso  receiveth  a  little  child, 
as  a  type  of  the  humility  with  which  he 
ought  to  be  clothed,  and  thenceforth  strives 
diligently  towards  the  acquisition  of  the 
spirit  so  depicted  and  approved,  receiveth 
Christ.  The  possession  of  a  truly  humble 
spirit  is  a  genuine  test  of  having  embraced 
by  faith  a  crucified  and  reviled  Saviour. 
Nothing,  in  fact,  can  produce  a  habit  of 


79 


mind  so  opposed  to  our  natural  bias,  except 
such  a  transformation,  by  his  Holy  Spirit, 
as  imphes  a  reception  of  Him  in  all  his 
offices.  And  as  he  who  "  receiveth  the 
Son,  receiveth  also  the  Father  that  sent 
him,"  cheerful,  ready,  and  implicit  obedience 
to  the  whole  promulgated  law  of  God,  is 
also  necessarily  included  ;  so  that  to  be 
truly  humble,  does  in  every  possible  way, 
indicate  the  vitally  unfeigned  Christian. 
Clothed  with  humihty,  as  Jesus  was,  should 
his  servants  be  in  this  world,  and  so  arrayed 
they  are,  except  when  for  a  time  they  fall 
into  some  strange  delusions.  From  the 
delusions  of  pride,  may  the  good  Lord 
preserve  us,  for  verily  a  "haughty  spirit 
goeth  before  a  fall ;  but  before  honour  is 
humility." 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Lord !  may  that  mind  be  in  me  which 
was  so  conspicuously  in  thy  dear  Son,  when 
He  emptied  himself,  and  made  himself  of 
no  reputation,  and  took  upon  him  the  form 
of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the  likeness 
of  men.  May  my  only  strife  henceforward 
be  contending  zealously  for  the  faith  once 
delivered  to  the  saints ;   my  only  provoca- 


80 


tion,  the  provoking  of  others  to  mutual  love 
and  good  works ;  and  my  only  covetous- 
ness,  the  coveting  earnestly  of  thy  best 
gifts.  Give  me,  I  pray  thee,  that  meek 
and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  thy  sight  of 
great  price,  and  that  wisdom  which  is  full 
of  mercy  and  good  fruits.  May  my  modera- 
tion be  apparent  in  all  things.  May  thy 
great  name  be  glorified,  and  my  soul  sanc- 
tified, for  the  Redeemer's  sake. — Amen. 


"  And  Jesus  called  a  little  child  unto  him,  and  set 
him  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  said,  verily  I  say  unto 
you, — Whosoever  therefore  shall  humble  himself  as 
this  little  child,  the  same  is  greatest  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven."— <§■<.  Matthew,  xviii.  2, 4. 


Far  happier  in  the  sheltered  vale, 

Than  if  permitted  to  inhale 

The  dangerous,  though  enlivening  gale, 

Which  men  distinction  name. 
Shall  the  disciples  of  the  cross, 
Exchanged  for  which  the  world  were  loss. 
Barter  their  gold  for  earthly  dross. 

And  covet  earthly  fame  ? 


SI 


Shall  they  among  themselves  aspire, 
Each  one  to  be  "  a  little  higher"' 
Who  all  were  lifted  from  the  mire 

Of  guiltiness  and  sin  ? 
And  that  by  one  who  chose  to  trace, 
With  shame  and  spitting  on  his  face, 
The  path  of  sorrow  and  disgrace, 

Their  happiness  to  win  ! 


Remember  when  unhallowed  strife 
Arose  among  the  heirs  of  life, 
How  Jesus  marked  the  mischief  rife. 

And  marked  it  to  repel ! 
Remember  how  he  took  a  child, 
Too  young  to  know  ambition  wild, 
And  taught  them,  by  that  emblem  mild, 

How  his  meek  Church  should  dwell. 


With  such  sweet  type,  in  daily  view, 
Lord !  I  would  be  instructed  too, 
And  at  that  fount  my  soul  imbue. 

With  antidotes  to  pride  ; 
As  in  thy  chosen  glass  I'll  see, 
How    heaven-born   Christians    should    be 

free 
From  all  contentious  rivalry. 

And  "  in  their  lot  abide." 
7 


82 

Oh  lowly  Saviour !  thou  didst  deign 
Thy  saints'  affections  to  enchain, 
By  entering  on  a  life  of  pain, 

Thyself  an  Infant  pure. 
Teach  all  thy  faithful— unenticed 
By  honours  frail,  though  dearly  priced, 
Humble  and  calm,  like  babes  in  Christ, 

For  ever  to  endure. 


MEDITATION  XIII. 

"  If  ye  then,  bein;?  evil,  know  how  to  give  good 
gifts  unto  your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven  give  good  things  to  them 
that  ask  him  1  Therefore  all  things  whatsoever  ye 
would  that  men  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to 
them  :  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

Matthev)  vii.  11,  12. 

The  connecting  vi^ord  therefore  between 
these  two  verses  is  very  remarkable.  Let 
us  consider  the  whole  passage  as  it  stands 
from  the  7th  verse.  Those  magnificent,  un- 
fettered promises,  "  Ask  and  ye  shall  re- 
ceive ;  seek  and  ye  shall  find ;  knock  and 
it  shall  be  opened  unto  you,"  are  first  pro- 
pounded ;  and  then  the  infinite,  but  wise 
kindness,  of  our  Heavenly  Parent  in  their 
fulfilment,  is  illustrated  and  restricted,  by 


83 


an  appeal  to  those  tender  feelings,  which 
yet  remain  unobliterated  in  our  fallen  nature, 
"  What  man  is  there  among  you,  who,  if  his 
son  ask  bread,  will  he  give  him  a  stone?  or 
if  he  ask  a  fish,  will  he  give  him  a  serpent?" 
Assuredly  no  aflectionate  father  would  hes- 
itate to  refuse  the  hurtful  gratification  of  a 
wish  made  in  ignorance  by  his  fondly  loved 
child.  But  if  we,  warped  and  deadened  aa 
we  are  by  the  evil  that  is  in  us,  have  yet  so. 
much  perception  of  what  is  right,  and  so. 
much  regard  for  what  is  kind,  as  to  bestow 
cheerfully  and  assiduously,  what  our  best 
judgments  can  select  as  good  upon  our  chil-. 
dren,  much  more  will  our  Heavenly  Father 
give  *' good  tliings,^^  truly,  intrinsically, 
eternally  excellent  things,  even  (as  another 
Evangelist  expresses  it)  his  Holy  Spirit, 
unto  them  that  ask  him,  "  Therefore  what- 
soever ye  would  that  men  should  do  unto 
you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them,  for  this  is  the 
law  and  the  prophets."  Because  you  are 
thus  assured  by  God  himself  of  his  willing- 
ness to  bestow  on  you  freely  every  needful 
blessing.  Because  you  are  thus  invited  to 
come  to  him  as  reconciled  children  and  re- 
ceive power  to  obey  his  commands  ;  there- 
fore I  again  give  you  forth  this  epitome  of 
social  duties,  not  as  the  ministration  of  con- 


84 


demnation,  but  that  you  may  seek  and  ob-' 
tain  (by  the  pleading  of  your  Father's  hb- 
eral  promises  with  himself  in  prayer)  to 
have  it  written  on  your  hearts  as  the  law  of 
love.  As  the  true  disciples  of  a  lowly  and 
loving  Lord,  you  will  moderate  to  a  due 
standard  your  own  expectations  from  others, 
and  then,  by  the  same  standard,  regulate 
your  conduct  towards  them.  The  refer- 
•ence  to  the  corrupt  state  of  man,  (ye  being 
evil,)  strengthens  this  application  of  the 
promise,  as  implying  our  need  of  Divine 
assistance  in  our  dealings  with  our  brethren, 
as  well  as  amply  providing  the  means  of 
obtaining  it ;  and  if  we  do  but  consider  how 
"  exceedingly  broad  is  the  precept  of  doing 
to  all  men,  not  as  they  act,  but  as  we  should 
reasonably  desire  them  to  act  towards  us, 
we  shall  not  be  slow  to  acknowledge,  that 
in  order  to  "  do  justly,"  and  to  "  love  mer- 
cy,'' as  t-his  brief  precept  enjoins,  we  must 
also  "walk  humbly  with  our  God,"  and 
implore  of  him  ability  to  do  to  others,  as  we 
would  they  should  do  to  us.  When  a  cer- 
tain lawyer  "stood  up  and  tempted  Jesus," 
that  he  might  be  entrapped,  if  possible,  to 
shew  a  partiality  to  one  commandment  over 
others,  and  so  give  occasion  for  captious 
objections  and  arguments,  the  Lord  confuted 


85 


his  base  purpose  by  a  comprehensive  en- 
forcement of  those  two  great  mainsprings  of 
action,  the  love  of  God,  and  the  love  of  man 
flowing  from  it,  (which  the  lawyer  had  him- 
self selected  as  the  most  important  of  all 
its  precepts,)  saying,  "This  do,  and  thou 
shalt  live."  By  one  of  those  inimitably 
minute  strokes,  with  which  the  volume  of 
inspiration  abounds,  and  which  unveil  the 
deception  of  man,  as  by  a  touch  from  the 
great  Heart-searcher,  without  the  superflu- 
ous use  of  words,  the  struggle  of  pride  with 
conviction  of  his  own  guilt,  which  this  short 
sentence  produced  in  the  enquirer,  is  thus 
briefly  narrated,  "But  he  wilhng  to  justify 
himself,  said,  And  who  is  my  neighbour?" 
and  we  are  constrained  to  confess  how, 
when  this  spirit-searching  standard,  this  rule 
of  universal  love,  is  pressed  home  on  any 
one  of  us,  the  same  desire  of  self-justifica- 
tion, and  the  sam«  endeavour  to  lower  the 
duty  to  the  performer,  instead  of  seeking 
help  to  elevate  the  performer  to  the  duty,  is 
frequently  visible.  Our  Lord  rephed  to  the 
question  by  the  beautiful  parable  of  the 
charitable  Samaritan.  We  shall  do  well  to 
study  it  to  enlarge  our  own  ideas  of  the 
self-denial  and  kindness,  the  indifference  to 
man's  mistaken  opinions,  and  resistance  to 


86 


evil  example,  the  victory  over  prejudice,  the 
consecration  of  time,  labour,  and  substance, 
and  the  provident  attention  to  the  permanent 
relief  and  benefit  of  others,  which  are  thereia 
set  before  us,  as  included  in  our  fulfilling  this 
great  precept.  All  must  perceive  that  so 
considered  it  is  well  calculated  to  make  us 
conclude  our  internal  scrutiny  by  deep-felt 
condemnation  of  our  past  defective  per- 
formance, and  so  to  lead  us  for  pardon,  and 
the  power  of  better  obedience,  to  the  throne 
of  unfailing  grace.  May  this,  then,  be  the 
lesson  gained  from  the  whole  subject — 
abasement  of  our  "evil"  selves  before  God, 
and  unfeigned  entreaties,  as  from  perish- 
ing offspring  to  a  pitying  Father,  for  the 
faith  which  can  justify — the  grace  which 
can  restore, — the  love  which  can  enable  us 
to  fulfil  the  law.  May  we  so  trust  in  Him, 
who  waijteth  to  be  gracious,  as  to  believe 
that  having  given  us  his  dear  Son,  he  will 
with  him  freely  give  us  all  things ;  and  may 
He  send  into  our  hearts  the  spirit  of  adop- 
tion, ever  to  cry  unto  him,  abba,  Father ! 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Lord  God!    Omnipotent  Creator  of 
Heaven  and  Earth,  I  am  ashamed  and  con- 


87 


founded  when  I  remember  thy  condescend- 
ing goodness,  compared  with  my  own  cold- 
ness, disobedience,  and  rebellion,  towards 
Thee.  Through  the  compassionate  invita- 
tions of  thy  dear  Son,  who  was  manifested 
to  take  away  our  sins,  thou  hast  given  us 
free  access  to  thee,  our  insulted  Sovereign, 
as  unto  a  propitiated  Father,  and  hast  calfed 
us  to  thy  throne  of  grace,  to  ask  and  receive, 
to  seek  and  find,  according  to  our  wants, 
and  not  according  to  our  deservings.  But, 
alas  !  wayward,  perverse,  and  ungrateful,  I 
have  too  little  esteemed,  too  little  profited, 
by  privileges  so  unspeakable.  Oh  !  may  I 
henceforward  approach  thy  mercy-seat  in 
every  time  of  need,  and  obtain  there  all  thy 
covenanted  blessings  in  Christ  Jesus,  our 
Saviour,  even  abundantly  more  than  I  can 
ask  or  l.hink. — Amen. 


"Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord 
pitietli  them  that  fear  him." — Psalm  ciii.  13. 

Prostrated  by  destroying  hands, 

In  ages  long  gone  by, 
Beneath  Arabia's  dreary  sands 

Some  noblo  fragments  lie  ; 


88 

And  even  on  her  arid  soil, 

May  here  and  there  be  seen, 
Sweet  to  the  eye  and  foot  of  toil, 

A  cheering  spot  of  green. 

Thus  He  who  of  our  evil  state 
Explored  the  depths  profound, 

Tho'  crush'd  by  sins'  encumbering  weight. 
Saw  Eden's  wrecks  around. 

He  saw,  and  on  one  verdant  spot, 
That  blessed  the  sterile  waste, 

A  tree  whose  verdure  fadeth  not, 
His  hand  divinely  placed. 

With  that  Oasis  in  his  view, 
Parental  love  its  name, 
Rich  words  of  comfort  Jesus  drew, 
His  wanderers  to  reclaim. 

"  If  ye,  corrupt  and  full  of  ill. 

As  parents  yet  perceive, 
What  gifts  your  children's  welfare  still, 

Requires  them  to  receive  ; 

"Yea,  if  thy  yearning  heart  would  shrink. 
Heart-hardened  though  thou  be, 

From  leading  on  to  danger's  brink, 
Sons  that  depend  on  Thee ; 


89 

"  Shall  the  great  Parent  not  much  more. 

Confiding  souls  require? 
And  to  his  asking  children's  store 

Add  life,  and  love,  and  light  ? 

"  When  supplicating  heavenly  bread. 

Will  He  a  stone  confer  ? 
Or  leave  them  to  be  basely  fed 

With  husks  that  swine  prefer  ? 

"  Will  He  their  filial  tears  despise, 
Or  slight  the  woes  they  speak  ? 

Or  with  a  scorpion  whip  chastise. 
When  they  forgiveness  seek  ? 

"Ah!  lay  aside  such  fearful  thoughts. 
Though  sinful,  yet  approach, 

As  rebel  children  homeward  brought. 
Nor  dread  one  harsh  reproach. 

"  Distrust  your  Father's  love  no  more, 
'  That  love  so  vast  and  sure  ; 
Knock  boldly  at  the  mystic  door, 
Who  enters  is  secure." 


90 


MEDITATION  XIV. 

"  But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him,  and  his  righte- 
ousness unto  children's  children  :  to  such  as  keep  hia 
covenant,  and  to  those  that  remember  his  command- 
ments to  do  them."— Psaim  ciii.  17, 

What  a  remarkable  suitability  may  be 
traced  in  the  nature  of  the  blessings  here 
promised,  and  the  characters  addressed ! 
To  those  who  contemplate,  with  awful  rev- 
erence, the  character  of  God  as  a  Being  of 
unbounded  Majesty  and  Hohness,  what  can 
be  so  desirable  as  to  be  assured  that  these, 
his  adorable  attributes,  co-exist  with  a 
mercy  which  is  "  from  everlasting  unto 
everlasting,"  upon  them  that  fear  Him. 
While  to  such  as  keep  "  his  covenent ;"  to 
those  who  have  embraced  it  as  the  anchor 
of  their  soul,  sure  and  steadfast,  who  can 
say  with  David,  "  Thy  testimonies  have  I 
taken  as  mine  heritage  for  ever,  for  they 
are  the  rejoicings  of  my  heart,"  how  satis- 
factory must  be  the  conviction,  that  there 
is  a  Righteousness  pledged  to  the  inviolable 
fulfilment  of  those  engagements,  which  the 
Lord  of  his  goodness  has  vouchsafed  to 


91 


make  with  them  and  with  their  children 
after  them,  which  no  power  of  earth  or  hell 
can  avail  to  do  away.  "  The  fear  of  God," 
says  Solomon,  "  is  the  beginning  of  wis- 
dom ;"  and  though  we  are  told  that  "  per- 
fect love  casteth  out  fear,"  yet  this  is  that 
love  which  casteth  out  also  the  lawful 
causes  of  fear,  by  turning  the  heart  with 
abhorrence  from  every  thing  offensive  to 
Him  it  loves.  Wherever  love  fails  in  doing 
this,  it  is  so  far  imperfect.  No  truly  Chris- 
tian heart  ever  "  cast  out"  the  fear  of  sin, 
(that  abominable  thing  which  the  Lord 
hateth,)  though  undoubtedly  it  is  delivered 
from  fear  of  approaching  a  merciful  God  to 
obtain  peace  and  pardon  through  the  blood 
of  Jesus.  Well  does  the  w^ord  of  truth 
assure  us,  that  it  is  the  fear  of  being  utterly 
cast  off  for  all  that  we  have  done,  and  not 
the  holy  affectionate  fear  of  offending  our 
best  Friend,  grieving  and  quenching  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  bringing  a  scandal  on  our 
blessed  religion,  that  is  to  be  dismissed  from 
our  bosoms ;  for  it  says,  "  The  Lord  taketh 
pleasure  in  them  that /ear  him,  in  those  that 
hope  in  his  mercy,"  and  let  none  divide 
what  is  thus  expressly  united  by  the  highest 
authority.  Fear,  which  excludes  Hope, 
cannot  certainly  consist  with  Love  ; — such 


92 


were  the  fear  of  remorse,  of  Judas  Iscariot, 
of  the  condemned  spirits  ;  but  neither  can 
such  a  hope  as  excludes  fear  of  sin,  consist 
with  humiUty,  for  it  is  written,  "  Be  not 
high  minded,  but  fear ;"  "  Blessed  is  the 
man  that  feareth  always."  While  therefore 
we  remember  this,  let  our  hope  in  unspeak- 
able mercy  be  nevertheless  unlimited  ;  let 
us  remember  that  it  is  "from  everlasting  ;" 
all  has  been  foreseen,  all  is  provided  for,  that 
the  trembling  supplicant  can  need  or  desire ; 
and  it  is  "  to  everlasting"  also.  Effects 
more  astonishing  than  imagination  can  pic- 
ture, will  flow  from  it  through  unbounded 
ages. 

But  has  God  given  us  assurance  that  his 
righteousness  is  "  unto  children's  children, 
to  them  that  keep  his  covenant,  to  those 
that  remember  his  commandments  to  do 
them,"  and  are  we  verily  and  unreservedly 
joined  to'  Him  in  the  blessed  covenant, 
whereby  he  justifieth  the  ungodly  ?  Have 
we  not  only  embraced  it  intellectually,  con- 
senting to  its  provisions,  as  good  and  wise, 
and  sufficient,  saying,  "  It  is  well  ordered 
in  all  things  and  sure,"  but  have  we  em- 
braced it  personally,  saying,  "  This  is  all 
my  salvation,  all  my  desire  ?"  And  are  we 
indeed  remembering  his  commandments  to 


93 

dv  them,  not  merely  abstaining  from  evil 
deeds  and  words,  but  watching  over  secret 
thoughts,  feehngs,  and  motives  ?  Are  we 
looiiing  out  for  opportunities  to  follow  the 
injunctions  to  activity  and  benevolence, 
which  more  peculiarly  distinguish  the  gospel, 
as  well  as  watchful  to  avoid  the  things 
forbidden,  of  which  the  ancient  law  makes 
mention?  Have  we  respect  unto  the  Lord's 
precepts,  not  partially  but  universally? 
then,  why  does  faith  droop  ;  why  does  the 
heart  grow  sad  as  we  look  forward  to  our 
future  path  through  life,  or  that  of  our 
beloved  children,  and  almost  despondingly 
envisage  the  temptations  they  must  encoun- 
ter, the  evil  examples  they  must  witness 
in  their  progress  through  a  world  lying  in 
wickedness?  Assuredly  these  feelings  are 
natural;  but  nature  is  fallible,  and'^grace 
should  T)e  triumphant  over  her  where  they 
are  at  all  incompatible.  To  doubt  the  ful- 
filment of  promises  recorded  in  the  sacred 
word,  in  one  of  two  ways,  **  cometh  of  evil ;" 
either  we  must  be  conscious  that  we  are  not 
fearing,  adhering,  and  obeying,  according  to 
the  terms  of  the  promise,  or,  we  must  con- 
sider the  promise  itself  too  vast  and  aston- 
ishing for  our  credence.  Oh !  for  the  faith 
of  holy  Paul,  when  he  said,  "  The  Lord 


94 


will  deliver  me  from  every  evil  work  :  The 
Lord  will  preserve  me  to  his  heavenly 
kingdom  !"  Oh  1  for  the  confidence  of  pious 
Hannah,  when  she  said,  "  For  this  child  I 
prayed.  I  have  lent  him  to  the  Lord,  and 
he  shall  be  lent  unto  the  Lord  as  long  as  he 
liveth!"  Christian  mother!  who  remem- 
berest  the  commandments  of  the  Lord  to  do 
them,  and  art  therefore  studying  how  thou 
shalt  bring  up  thy  child  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord,  lift  up  thy  hands 
which  hang  down ;  strengthen  thy  feeble 
knees.  His  righteousness  extends  to  the 
completion  of  thy  heart's  desire ;  it  is 
pledged  to  thee  for  it ;  it  is  as  much  engaged 
to  thee  for  thine  offspring  as  for  thyself.  Be 
not  afraid  nor  dismayed  by  reason  of  the 
"great  multitude"  of  difficulties  which  un- 
belief would  conjure  up  to  alarm  thee. 
"  The  battle  is  not  your's,  but  God's."  Be- 
lieve in  the  Lord  your  God,  so  shall  you 
be  established;  believe  his  prophets,  so  shalt 
thou  prosper.  "Lo  !  children,  and  the  fruit 
of  the  womb,  are  an  heritage  and  gift  that 
Cometh  of  the  Lord  ;"  it  is  the  abuse  of  the 
Lord's  gifts  which  alone  can  render  them 
undesirable.  Do  therefore  Ihy  part  faithfully, 
and  the  fidelity  of  the  promise  will  be  abun- 
dantly displayed.    Thy  children  shall  rise 


95 


up  and  call  thee  blessed,  and  in  that  day 
when  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be 
revealed,  thou  shalt  have  the  unutterable 
joy  of  saying,  "  Behold,  Lord,  here  am  I, 
and  the  children  whom  thou  hast  given 
me ;"  for  "He  will  fulfil  the  desire  of  them 
that  fear  him." 

PRAYER. 

Gracious  God,  I  pray  that  my  ways  may 
be  made  so  direct,  that  I  may  keep  all  thy 
statutes,  as  well  as  reverence  all  thy  per- 
fections. Give  me  immoveable  confidence 
in  all  that  thy  gracious  Word  sets  before 
me,  as  the  covenanted  inheritance  of  thy 
people,  and  let  me  hold  it  fast  to  the  end  of 
my  earthly  pilgrimage.  Though  I  see  not 
with  my  eyes  any  fruit  of  my  labours  and 
intercessions  in  those  for  whom  Thou  hast 
commanded  me  to  pray,  let  me  not  be 
tempted  to  remit  them,  nor  to  cease  from 
exercising  the  patience  of  faith,  resting  on 
thy  faithfulness  and  truth.  Oh !  holy  Lord 
God!  who  keepest  covenant  and  mercy 
with  them  that  fear  thee,  enrich  my  heart 
daily  more  and  more,  with  that  reverence 
which  springs  from  grateful  love,  and  keep 
me  in  the  way  of  thy  commandments  in  all 


96 


things,  through  Him  in  whom  all  thy  gra- 
cious promises  are  yea  and  amen,  even 
Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour. — Amen. 


"  A  good  man  leaveth  an  inheritance  to  his  chil- 
dren's children." — Proverbs  xiii.  22. 


Not  as  heir  of  wide  domains, 
Fertile  fields  or  watered  plains  ; 
Not  as  destined  to  possess 
Carmel's  richest  fruitfulness  ; 
Nor  because  my  eye  ambitious 

Pictures  forth  thy  mortal  day 
Pleased  beneath  a  sky  propitious, 
Graced  with  honours,  crown'd  with  sway, 
Greet  I  thee,  my  infant  dear, 
On  thy  welcome  coming  here ; 

But  because  endowed  to  claim 
Birthright  more  than  wealth  or  fame, 
Privileges  dearly  bought. 
Passing  language,  passing  thought; 
Gifted  by  the  promise  gracious, 

Of  a  God  who  cannot  lie ; 
With  an  heritage  more  spacious 

Than  in  Time's  small  span  can  lie; 
Therefore  do  I  greet  thee  here, 
With  hopeful  smiles,  my  infant  dear. 


97 

Ah  I  if  thou  shouldst  live  to  know 
Human  happiness  and  woe  ; 
That  to  gain  and  this  to  shun, 
May'st  thou  ne'er  through  folly  run! 
But,  above  all  transient  pleasure, 

Far  above  as  sky  from  dust, 
Value  still  the  glorious  treasure 

Which  their  Saviour  gives  the  just 
Else,  alas !  my  infant  dear, 
Sad  should  be  thy  greeting  here. 

Better  never  to  have  been 
Than  to  live,  to  die  in  sin. 
Better  hear  no  sound  at  all, 
Than  refuse  the  Gospel  call! 
But  the  word  of  consolation 

Sets  a  brighter  hope  in  view, 
And  the  voice  of  supplication, 

Still  shall  plead  that  word  anew. 
Till  I  greet  thee,  child  of  bhss, 
in  a  holier  world  than  thia. 


98 


MEDITATION  XV. 


"For  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual." 

Romans  vii.  14. 


Though  acknowledged  in  words,  it  is  too 
often  forgotten  in  practice,  that  the  pre- 
cepts of  God's  word  extend  even  to  the 
thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart,  and  claim 
dominion  over  the  inner,  as  well  as  the 
outer  man.  Yet  He,  in  whom  dwelt  all  the 
fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily,  upon  many 
occasions  luminously  enforced  the  great 
truth,  that  the  essential  venom  of  sin  is  as 
deadly  when  existing  in  the  most  secret 
foldings  of  the  hearttielt  desire  and  cherished 
imagination,  as  when  it  breaks  forth  into 
the  plague  spots  of  open  transgression,  seen 
and  knawn  of  all  men.  And  though  we 
may  not  at  present  consider  the  spiritual 
nature  of  the  law,  in  the  details  of  its  every 
branch,  it  may  be  very  profitable  to  do  so 
in  one  (and  that  a  most  important)  require- 
ment, and  to  remember  the  various  ways 
in  which  wc  may  be  departing  in  heart  and 
mind,  from  that  commandment,  "  Thou 
shall  have  none  other  gods  but  me,"  even 


99 


when  scarcely  suspecting  how  far  our  wan- 
dering steps  have  deviat<3d  from  the  path 
60  pointed  out  to  them. 

Let  us  reflect,  then,  when  this  injunction 
was  dehvered, — at  Mount  Sinai, — amidst  a 
fearful  conflict  of  the  elements, — and  to  a 
people  who  had  been  enfranchised  by  the 
strong  hand  of  miraculous  power  from  igno- 
minious servitude,  by  the  infliction  of  awful 
judgments  on  their  enslavers,  when  they 
dared  to  deny  the  sovereign IJ'  of  Jehovah, 
Let  us  remember,  that  this  display  of  su- 
pernatural might  had  been  made,  not  only 
in  wrath  against  Pharaoh,  but  to  accomplish 
a  promise  given  four  hundred  years  before 
to  an  ancestor,  then  childless,  that  a  great 
nation,  descended  from  him,  should  thus,  and 
at  that  time,  be  delivered.  We  shall  then 
perceive  unlimited  command  over  the  pow- 
ers of  nature,  minute  observation  of  human 
actions,  jealousy  of  his  own  honour  against 
the  despisers  of  his  mandates,  prescience, 
gracious  forbearance,  and  fulfilment  of  his 
promises  to  the  minutest  tittle, — to  have 
been  all  attributes,  so  exemplified  before  the 
eyes  of  Israel,  that  when  they  heard  this 
claim  of  their  Deliverer  to  be  exclusively 
their  God,  they  would  necessarily  be  aware 
that  to  worship  any  being,  without  ascribing. 


100 

to  him  the  possession  of  these  things,  as 
well  as  the  character  of  the  self-existent  one, 
by  which  he  had  announced  iiimself,  would 
be  a  flagrant  breach  of  the  command.  Let 
us  take  care  that  our  deep  and  undivided 
devotion  be  indeed  given  to  the  God  of  Israel, 
with  these  his  attributes  in  view,  that  our 
worship  be  rendered  to  him  who  created  the 
heavens,  and  rules  in  the  kingdoms  of  men  ; 
who  searches  the  heart  and  tries  the  reins; 
who  taketh  vengeance  on  his  adversaries, 
and  reserveth  wrath  for  his  enemies  ;  who 
will  not  acquit  the  wicked,  yet  is  slow  to 
anger,  waiteth  to  be  gracious,  and  knoweth 
them  that  trust  in  Him,  and  not  merely  to 
an  idol  of  our  own  imaginations.  They  who 
represent  to  themselves  a  God  less  indig- 
nant against  the  rebellious,  less  omniscient, 
less  magnanimously  compassionate  than  the 
Bible  displays  the  God  of  Israel  to  be,  cer- 
tainly transgress  this  law,  which  confines 
us  to  have  Him  for  our  God,  and  Hira 
alone. 

But  what  is  it  to  have  him  for  our  God  ? 
Is  it  not  to  live  in  Him,  and  for  him  ?  to 
do  all  that  we  do  to  his  glory  ?  to  devote  all 
the  powers  he  has  given  us  to  his  willing 
service  ?  If  God  be  the  chief  good,  then 
to  have  him  for  our  God  is  to  regard  him 


101 

as  our  chief  good  ;  to  place  no  other  object, 
no  other  affection  in  competition  with  him, 
to  surrender  to  him  the  guidance  of  our  wills, 
and  the  care  of  our  true  happiness  ;  to  fear 
him,  as  the  avenger  of  iniquity,  the  just, 
the  terrible,  the  all-seeing  judge,  at  whose 
touch  the  mountains  shake,  and  all  the 
strong  ones  of  the  earth  shall  tremble, — yet, 
to  love  him,  because  He  is  merciful  and 
gracious  and  long-suffering,  and  has  not 
■withheld  from  us  his  Son,  his  only  Son. 
This  it  is  to  have  the  Lord  for  our  God ; 
and  to  serve  him  fully,  because  no  man  can 
serve  two  masters,  this  is  our  duty.  But 
said  the  Lord  to  Ezekiel,  "  Son  of  man,  these 
men  have  set  up  their  idols  in  their  heart, 
and  put  the  stumbling-block  of  their  iniquity 
before  their  face  :  should  I  be  inquired  of 
at  all  by  them?"  And  do  we  not  at  all 
resemble  those  so  here  depicted  ?  Could  the 
hidden  chambers  of  the  heart  be  unveiled, 
what  idol  worship  would  too  often  appear 
among  the  nominal  Israel  of  God  !  Self- 
indulgence,  like  the  cameleon,  taking  va- 
rious hues,  specious  and  voluptuous  in  some, 
dark  and  loathsome  in  others,  usurps  do- 
minion over  hearts  pledged,  yea,  frequently 
sacramentally  pledged,  to  deny  themselves, 
and  take  up  the  cross.    The  god  of  this 


102 

world  exhales  around  him  the  pernicious 
vapours  of  pride  and  false  reasoning,  and 
to  these  are  made  to  yield  the  plainest  laws 
of  heaven.  Covetousness  grasps  increase 
of  wealth  with  more  than  pious  eagerness, 
and  well  merits  the  epithet  which  an  apostle 
has  bestowed.  Vanity,  with  smiling  face, 
allures  the  simple  to  her  control ;  but,  oh  ! 
what  sacrifices  must  be  rendered  at  her 
idol  shrine  ?  too  often  truth,  consistency, 
principle,  natural  affection,  are  offered  up 
where  she  presides,  while  health,  and  event- 
ually life  itself,  have  not  been  too  much 
to  receive  from  her  jaded  worshippers. 
Oh  !  why,  or  wherein,  are  any  of  these 
abominations  less  abominable  than  weeping 
for  Tammuz,  or  pouring  out  cakes  of  obla- 
tion unto  the  queen  of  Heaven  ? 

Eut  are  toe  through  grace  delivered  from 
the  prevalence  of  such  evils?  and  has  the 
Lord  numbered  us  among  his  own  true  peo- 
ple, to  whom  }ie  is  indeed  a  God,  so  that 
we  can  say,  "  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but 
thee,  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  I  desire 
in  comparison  of  thee?"  it  is  well  1  Great 
should  be  our  measure  of  gratitude;  but  let 
us  remember  that  He  who  walketh  in  the 
midst  of  the  golden  candlesticks,  who 
keepeth  his  vineyard,  and  watereth  it  every 


103 

moment,  passed  not  without  rebuke,  even 
the  faithful,  patient,  laborious  £;)/iesu*,  when 
He  saw  that  she  had  left  her  first  love. 
Jesus  will  allow  no  rival  in  the  afTections  of 
his  redeemed  people  towards  himself;  their 
members  which  are  on  the  earth,  the  friend, 
the  child,  the  husband,  the  parent,  are  idol- 
ized when  they  in  any  way  interfere  to  wean 
them  from  Him.  He  that  loveth,  even  those 
dear  relatives,  more  than  he  loves  his 
Saviour,  "is  not  worthy"  of  him.  They 
that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh, 
with  its  affections  and  lusts  ;  and  though  to 
love  all  men,  and  especially  the  household 
of  faith,  and  more  especially  still  they  of  our 
own  household,  be  all  commanded  duties  ; 
and  of  the  last  it  is  said,  such  as  neglect  it 
have  denied  the  faith,  and  are  worse  than 
infidels,  yet  our  love  for  the  Redeemer 
should  be  the  moving  spring  of  all  these 
afl^ections  towards  his  creatures.  Our  desires 
of  happiness /ro7n  them  should  centre  in  the 
hope  of  enjoying  together  everlastingly  the 
blessings  of  his  favour  ;  and  our  desires  of 
felicity  for  them,  should  aspire  to  nothing 
but  what  accords  with  his  will,  and  con- 
duces to  his  honour. 


104 


PRAYER. 

Worthy  art  thou,  oh  Lord !  to  receive 
glory,  and  honour,  and  power,  for  thou  hast 
created  all  things,  and  for  thy  pleasure  they 
are  and  were  created.  I  deplore  before  thee, 
oh  Almighty  God !  my  many  departures 
from  thy  perfect  law.  Though  I  consent 
unto  it,  that  it  is  good,  and  acknowledge  thy 
just  claims  on  my  entire  love  and  obedience, 
and  though  I  desire  to  have  no  other  God 
before  thee,  yet  other  lords  have  had  domin- 
ion over  me,  but  too  much  and  too  often. 
By  thee  only  therefore,  blessed  Jesus  !  will 
I  make  mention  of  the  name  of  the  Lord 
God  ;  through  thee  He  is  pacified  towards 
me,  notwithstanding  all  my  rebellions. 
Strengthen  the  cords  of  love  by  which  thou 
drawest  me  to  thyself;  and  weaken  all  those 
attractions  which  would  allure  me  from  thee. 
Let  neither  the  fear  nor  the  praise  of  man 
prepare  a  net  to  entangle  my  soul,  but  may 
even  life  itself  be  less  dear  than  the  Saviour, 
who  gave  his  own  life  to  deliver  us  from  this 
present  evil  world.  Abiding  in  Him,  with- 
out whom  I  can  do  nothing,  may  I  endure 
unto  the  end  in  thy  faith  and  fear,  and  to  thy 
name  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever. — Amen. 


105 

"  He  that  loveth  son  or  daughter  more  than  me,  is 
not  worthy  of  me.— Matthew  x.  37. 

Oh  !  for  a  self-appropriating  faith, 

In  ceaseless  action,  calling  Jesus  mine. 

"  Abide  in  me,"  the  great  Redeemer  saith, 
Ye  living  branches  of  the  living  vine. 

Thou  inexhaustibly  nutritious  root, 
Diffuse  thy  vital  presence  through  my 
heart. 
Flow  forth  blest  Comforter,  and  love's  rich 
fruit. 
In  all  Its  fair  maturity  impart. 

Shake  off,  as  on  thy  blossoms  they  alight, 
Those  soul-insinuating  things  terrene, 

Whose  unsuspected,  but  destructive  blight, 
Eats  out  the  sweetness  of  a  hope  unseen. 

Holy  Redeemer!  are  they  none  of  thine, 
Who  son  or  daughter  lovein  place  of  thee? 

Exalt  and  purify  the  love  of  mine. 
From  every  tincture  of  idolatry. 

Not  for  themselves,  nor  for  their  creature 
worth. 

But  as  reflections  of  celestial  light ; 
As  fibres  of  my  Saviour ;  sent  to  earth 

To  work  his  glory  and  rejoice  his  heart. 


106 

So  would  I  love  them  !  and  if  cherished  so, 
In  thee  and  for  thee,  oh  our  glorious  Head! 

My  joys  shall  work  me  no  insidious  woe, 
Nor  serpent  lurk  beneath  my  flowery  bed. 


MEDITATION  XVI. 

"  For  verily  he  took  not  on  him  the  nature  of 
angels ;  but  he  took  on  him  the  seed  of  Abraham. 
Wherefore  in  all  things  it  behoved  him  to  be  made 
like  unto  his  brethren,  that  he  might  be  a  merciful 
and  faithful  high  priest  in  things  pertaining  to  God, 
to  make  reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people.  For 
in  that  he  himself  hath  sulfered,  being  tempted,  he  is 
able  to  succour  them  that  are  tempted." 

Hebrews  ii.  16—18. 

That  He  who  upholdeth  all  things  by  the 
word  of  his  Power,  who  laid  the  foundation 
of  the  earth,  and  of  whose  hands  the 
heavens- are  the  works,  should  be  made  for 
a  little  while  "  lower  than  the  angels,"  that 
He  should  "  take  on,"  the  seed  of  Abraham, 
— tabernacling  in  the  flesh  of  that  holy 
thing,  which,  by  the  overshadowing  of  his 
omnipotent  Spirit,  was  born  of  Mary,  and 
so  intimately  uniting  it  to  his  Eternal  God- 
head, as  to  be  really  bone  of  our  bone,  and 
flesh  of  our  flesh,  tempted  in  all  points  hke 


107 

as  we  are,  yet  without  sin, — that  through 
the  Eternal  Spirit  given  to  Him  during  his 
humiliation  without  measure,  He  should 
offer  himself  without  spot  to  God,  a  sa- 
crifice of  a  sweet  smelling  savour,  to 
take  away  the  sin  of  the  world,  are 
indeed  most  astonishing  facts.  Vast  be- 
yond utterance  are  their  consequences, — 
deep  beyond  imagination  the  everlasting 
counsels  of  Wisdom  and  Love  which  pre- 
pared, performed,  and  revealed  them.  Well 
may  it  be  said  into  these  "  things  the  angels 
desire  to  look."  Angels  rfolook  and  adore, 
yea,  rejoice  in  the  blessings  thus  brought 
upon  the  heirs  of  salvation  ;  but  what  shall 
we  think  of  any  who  are  invited  to  share 
this  inheritance,  nay,  perhaps,  nominally 
invested  with  the  privileges  of  its  reversion- 
ary possessors,  yet  who  turn  away,  as  from 
the  tediousaess  of  a  twice  told  tale,  when 
meditations  are  suggested  on  this  seraph- 
enrapturing,  this  soul-interesting  subject — 
this  one  only  intimation  of  a  way  in  which, 
being  at  enmity,  they  may  be  reconciled  to 
God  ;  being  rebels,  may  be  welcomed  again 
among  the  obedient. 

If  all  the  Inspired  Scriptures  be  profitable 
for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for 
instruction   in    righteousness,    surely    that 


108 

which  is  as  it  were  the  sum  and  substance 
of  all  Scripture,  must  to  all  these  ends  be 
abundantly  efficient.  As  to  doctrine,  we 
have  already  alluded  to  its  sublimity,  and  of 
its  adaptation  to  the  nature  of  man,  in  every 
state,  from  the  most  savage  to  the  most  re- 
fined, testimonies  of  the  strongest  kind 
might  be  brought ;  it  witnesses  itself,  in  fact, 
even  to  our  debased  understandings  (where 
no  immediate  enticement  of  engrossing  sin 
at  the  moment  interferes  to  blind  them)  as  a 
doctrine  well  fitted  to  magnify  the  law,  as 
most  worthy  of  honour,  and  at  the  same 
time  admirably  calculated,  by  the  exhibition 
of  love  ineffable,  to  win  back  the  alienated 
creature  to  its  only  true  rest  and  joy. 

But  not  only  for  doctrine  is  it  good  for  us 
to  go  even  to  Bethelem  and  see  that  Avonder- 
ful  thing  there  brought  to  pass,  which  the 
Lord  hath  made  known  to  us, — for  reproof 
also  should  we  go,  and  for  correction.  Has 
the  Son  of  God  made  himself  of  no  reputa- 
tion for  the  sake  of  sinful  men,  and  do  we 
still  prefer  to  him,  the  transient  honours, 
the  fading  pleasures  of  this  life — gaudy 
poppies  that  look  fine  to  the  childish  eyes  of 
ambition  and  folly,  but  distil  over  the  senses 
a  fatal  dulness  to  the  things  of  eternity  ? 
Oh  let  us  stand  reproved,     Let  us  beseech 


109 

Him,  who  alone  can,  to  set  before  U3  the  in- 
gratitude and  guilt  of  thus  slighting  our 
Divine  Benefactor,  and  that  so  forcibly,  so 
affectingly,  that  we  may  neither  hesitate'nor 
delay  to  fall  low  before  the  footstool  of  his 
mercy,  saying,  "  Lord,  what  wouldest  thou 
have  me  to  do  ?" 

And  not  less  for  instruction  and  improve- 
ment in  righteousness,  than  for  doctrine  and 
reproof,  does  the  incarnation  of  the  Lord  of 
Glory  furnish  large  and  various  scope.  No 
longer  need  the  timid  and  the  contrite  des- 
pondingly  exclaim,  How  shall  I  know  that 
my  tears  are  accepted,  my  sins  blotted  out? 
A  voice  from  heaven  has" pronounced.  This 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well 
pleased ;  and  that  Son  has  said.  Him  that 
Cometh  to  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.  No 
longer  need  the  heart  of  the  desolate  turn  in 
vain  through  the  universe  for  one  sympa- 
thizing Comforter;  Jesus  groaned  at  the 
grave  of  Lazarus  ;  Jesus  was  wounded  by 
the  perfidy  of  Judas,  the  cowardice  of 
Peter,  the  desertion  of  every  friend  ;  Jesus 
was  aspersed,  betrayed,  forsaken  ;  who  like 
Him  can  appreciate,  who  hke  Him  can 
effectually  reUeve  the  bitterest  bereave- 
ments, the  most  heart-rending  woes  of 
man? 


110 

Come  ye  persecuted  and  behold  whether 
there  be  any  sorrow  hke  unto  that  sorrow 
wherewith  the  Lord  afflicted  Jesus  of  Naz- 
areth in  the  day  of  his  tierce  anger.  Ye 
who  are  in  heaviness  through  manifold 
temptations  come,  for  he  was  tempted  in  all 
points  like  as  ye  are.  He  hath  compassion 
on  the  ignorant  and  on  them  that  are  out  of 
the  way.  He  is  a  merciful  High  Priest, 
knowing  and  pitying  the  infirmities  of  those 
whom  he  is  not  ashamed  to  call  his  brethren ; 
di faithful  High  Priest  in  things  pertaining  to 
God,  seeing  he  hath  offered  for  them  a  pure, 
perfect,  unsullied  offering,  and  of  infinite 
value.  Ye  proud,  learn  of  Him,  for  he  wa3 
meek  and  lowly,  accessible  to  all,  benevolent 
to  all,  ever  ready,  without  a  reluctant  word, 
to  yield  up  those  precious  hours  he  most 
valued,  the  hours  of  solitary  communion  with 
God,  when  the  poorest  and  meanest  sought 
him,  that  they  might  be  instructed  by  his 
words.  Ye  poor,  learn  of  him,  for  he  suf- 
fered the  want  of  all  things,  that  ye  might 
practically  perceive,  how  "  Man  does  not 
live  by  bread  alone,"  and  while  obliged 
therefore  to  labour  for  your  needful,  but 
perishing  food,  be  far  more  fervently  labo- 
rious for  the  instruction,  and  the  feelings, 
and  the  holiness  of  the  children  of  God. 


Ill 

Come  to  Jesus !  thou  selfish  sensualist,  and 
be  ashamed.  He  had  not  where  to  lay  his 
head,  yet  he  went  about  doing  good. 
Thou  farest  sumptuously  every  day  !  and 
art  thou  doing  good  even  when  opportuni- 
ties are  presented  to  thee  ?  Come  to  Jesus 
ye  fainting  souls,  who  shudder  and  shrink,  as 
ye  are  to  enter  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death  ;  He  is  the  staff  upon  whom  you  may 
safely  lean  in  its  gloomiest  passes.  From 
his  own  dying  lips  it  was  extorted,  "  My 
God,  my  God  !  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me  ?"  yet  He  closed  not  his  eyes  on  this 
visible  world  till  he  had  said  in  the  full 
repose  of  love,  "Father!  into  thy  hands  I 
commend  my  spirit !"  and  whatever  be 
your  present  distress  and  fears,  He  can 
enable  you  to  say  so  too. 

But  the  time  would  fail,  even  to  name  the 
many,  many  advantages  combining  all,  and 
tallying  with,  the  grand  purpose  of  making 
reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people, 
which  are  derived  to  Christians  and  to  the 
world  from  the  Saviour  "taking  part  of 
that  flesh  and  blood,"  of  which  "  the  chil- 
dren" of  men  "  are  also  partakers." 
"  Thanks  be  unto  God  for  his  unspeakable 
gift." 


112 


PRAYER. 

Well  may  we  sing  unto  thee  a  new  and 
still  renewing  song  of  praise,  Almighty  Lord 
God,  for  thou  hast  done  wonderful  things. 
Thine  own  right  hand,  thy  mighty  arm, 
have  gotten  thee  the  victory.  Holy  is  thy 
great  name,  and  marvellous  are  thy  v/ays, 
oh  King  of  saints!  in  that  Thou  hast  sent 
us  a  Saviour  every  way  suitable  to  our 
wants,  in  every  possible  respect  replete 
with  excellencies.  Good  will  to  man  has 
been  published  from  thy  throne.  Oh  dis- 
pose my  heart  to  welcome  the  precious 
tidings  with  the  joy  of  submissive  gratitude. 
May  my  spirit  go  up  with  unfailing  delight 
to  contemplate  the  sanctuary  of  thy  holy 
mercy  towards  the  children  of  thine  adop- 
tion, even  Him  whose  generation  is  from 
everlasting,  yet  who  "came  forth"  in  feeble 
infancy  from  Bethlehem-Ephrata.  This 
is  the  tent  which  thou  hast  pitched  among 
men.  May  I  abide  therein  for  ever,  safely 
hidden  from  the  malice  of  the  accuser; 
protected  and  upheld  through  the  duties  and 
troubles  of  life,  and  sustained  in  the  hour  of 
death  J  so,  oh  my  God !  in  the  ages  lo  come 


113 

shall  I  exalt  the  riches  of  thy  mercy  among 
the  multitudes  of  thy  redeemed,  for  ever  and 
ever. — Amea. 


"  Let  us  now  go  even  unto  Bethlehem,  and  see  this 
thing  which  is  "come  to  pass,  which  the  Lord  hath 
made  known  to  us." — Luke  ii.  15. 


In  the  hour  of  blest  devotion, 
Oft  the  hallowed  theme  we  find. 

Echoing  to  each  pure  emotion 

That  has  whispered  through  the  mind. 

Thy  prompt  gale  association, 
Thus  from  cradle  scene  anew, 

Wafts  the  soul  in  contemplation, 
Where  the  Virgin's  babe  we  view. 

Wondrous  thought!  that  Lord  dependant, 
On  a  nurturing  creature's  care! 

At  whose  single  word  attendant. 
World's  of  creatures  would  repair ! 

Yes,  Ephrata !  in  thy  stable 

Is  the  palace  of  a  King, 
Vain  the  stores  of  truth  or  fable 

Pedigree  like  His  to  bring. 
9 


114 

In  his  weakness,  lies  before  us, 

Hope  of  Prophets!  Lord  of  Heaven? 

He  whose  advent  woke  the  chorus, 
"  Unto  us  a  Son  is  given." 

On  that  Holy  Infant  looking, 

Son  of  Mary,  Son  of  God  ! 
Scorn  and  want  resign'dly  brooking. 

While  archangels  wait  His  nod. 

Shall  not  every  cloud  of  error 
Melt  in  Love's  refulgent  blaze  ? 

Shall  not  sin,  and  doubt,  and  terror. 
Die  within  me  as  I  gaze  ? 


MEDITATION  XVII. 


"  Commune  with  your  own  heart  upon  your  bed, 
and  be  still." — Psalm  iv.  4. 


In  forming  their  estimate  as  to  what  it  may 
be  worth  while  to  relinquish  or  to  endure 
at  the  present  moment,  for  the  sake  of  pro- 
spective benefit,  men  are  not  in  general  so 
blinded  as  greatly  to  mistake  their  path  of 


115 

wisdom.  There  are  few  who  would  abso* 
lutely  refuse  to  submit  to  a  painful  operation, 
where  death  without  it  would  appear  inevit- 
able. There  are  few  who  would  not  sacrifice 
a  trifling  sum  of  money,  where  even  a  rea- 
sonable possibility  occurred  of  thereby  se- 
curinor  the  reversion  of  a  vast  inheritance. 
To  obtain  the  honourable  celebrity  of  enter- 
prising courage,  how  many  are  always  eager 
to  volunteer  for  services  where  they  must 
struggle  through  the  most  painful  privations, 
and  be  exposed  to  the  most  imminent  perils. 
But  if  the  question  be,  what  will  you  wil- 
lingly submit  to,  what  will  you  cheerfully 
resign,  that  you  may  improve  the  condition 
of  your  soul,  and  that  for  eternity,  how 
quickly  falls  below  zero  the  index  that 
must  give  reply,  namely  the  practice  of 
thousands. 

But  -if  we  be  Christians  indeed,  we  have 
not  so  learned  Christ  as  to  put  out  of  re- 
membrance that  impressive  question  of  our 
Lord,  "  What  is  a  man  advantaged  if  he 
shall  gain  the  whole  world,  or  what  shall  a 
man  give  in  exchange  for  his  soul  ?"  The 
whole  world,  were  it  possible  to  attain  it, — 
every  imaginable  gratification  that  man  can 
enjoy  in  and  from  the  world,  without  refer- 
ence to  the  will  of  his  Maker,  ought  to  be, 


116 

and  to  the  truly  pious  soul  is,  but  dust  in 
the  balance,  compared  to  advancement  in 
those  graces  which  evidence  their  possessor 
to  be  gradually  becoming  fit,  imder  the 
potent  hand  of  an  internal  agent,  for  a  world 
%vhose  joys  and  whose  glories  neither  change 
nor  depart.  If  the  day  of  adversity  be  a  day 
peculiarly  fitted  for  consideration,  it  is  there- 
fore not  wonderful  that  it  should  be  spoken 
of  honourably  by  those  who  look  beyond 
this  transitory  scene  in  forming  a  judgment 
as  to  their  true  interests,  or  that  to  those 
who  are  much  engaged  in  the  active  rela- 
tions of  life,  a  season  of  comparative  ab- 
straction from  its  cares  and  duties,  should 
be  regarded  as  peculiarly  precious.  Divested 
of  every  encumbering  solicitude,  how  de- 
lightful is  it  on  such  occasions  to  sit  down, 
as  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  hearing  his  precious 
words  addressed  to  ourselves;  or  to  com- 
mune \vith  our  own  hearts  upon  the  couch 
of  languid  convalescence,  when  all  around 
is  calm  repose,  and  the  sweet  experience  of 
the  Psalmist,  that  his  gracious  Shepherd 
led  him  beside  the  "  still  "  waters,  is  fully 
realized  to  our  feelings.  Is  not  this  prefer- 
able to  the  festive  relaxations  which  the 
worldly  minded  claim  as  but  due  refresh- 
ments on  their  course  of  zealous  and  active 


117 

attention  to  the  business  of  life  ?  True  it 
is,  that  even  among  multiplied  secular  en- 
gagements, the  heart  that  sincerely  loves 
the  Saviour  has  within  itself  a  "  little  sanc- 
tuary," wherein  to  retreat  from  the  strife 
of  tongues  and  collision  of  earthly  in- 
terests troubhng  it  from  without;  a  fresh 
spring,  as  it  were,  beneath  the  ocean's 
tide,  retaining  its  purity  and  ministering 
refreshment,  though  the  restless  billows 
ebb  and  flow  above  it.  But  notwith- 
standing this,  there  is  undoubtedly  a  de- 
teriorating tendency  in  many  of  the  trials 
we  experience  in  life,  and  the  corruption  of 
our  hearts  too  readily  coincides  with  it,  in 
permitting  the  details  of  duty  to  assume  un- 
due, or  at  least  unseasonable  predominance 
in  our  thoughts.  From  day  to  day  perhaps, 
we  go  on,  recollecting  indeed  the'  sins,  and 
reviewing  the  employments  of  the  few  pre- 
ceding hours,  but  very  seldom  taking  a 
comprehensive  view  of  our  whole  spiritual 
progress,  unless  when  preparing  for  some 
special  ordinance,  or  when  called  into  the 
more  immediate  chambers  of  reflection  by 
sickness,  or  other  providential  appointments 
of  our  lot.  But  in  these  special  retirements, 
it  seems,  as  if,  other  voices  being  for  a  while 
unheard,  we  can  more  easily  distinguish  one 


lis 

which  searcheth  the  heart  and  trieth  the 
reins,  sayino;  unto  us,  as  to  Elijah  in  the 
solitudes  of  Carmel,  "  What  dost  thou 
here?"  We  have  leisure  and  opportunity 
to  go  farther  and  deeper  into  ourselves,  and 
when  these  are  blest  by  the  Divine  Spirit, 
teaching  us  to  profit,  how  frequently  is  the 
result  comprehended  in  this  text,  "Before  I 
was  afflicted  I  went  astray,  but  now  have  I 
kept  thy  word."  Uninviting  therefore  as 
the  valley  of  Baca  may  be,  its  deep  pools 
often  furnish  much  needed  aid  on  the  way 
to  Zion.  Is  it  recorded  in  vain,  that  the 
Lord  withdrew  himself  into  the  wilderness 
to  pray  ;  nay,  that  in  the  oratory  of  the 
desert  he  spent  whole  nights  of  watchful- 
ness and  love  ?  Oh  let  us  remember  that 
our  special  seasons  of  recollection  and  retire- 
ment, must  like  his  be  prayerful  if  we  desire 
them  to  be  profitable ;  and  taking  advan- 
tage of  there  being  a  more  extended  time  at 
our  command  than  in  our  ordinary  course, 
let  us  therein  embrace  a  wider  scope  of 
retrospection,  and  gain  a  more  thorough 
insight  into  the  state  of  our  hearts,  our 
affections,  and  our  consciences.  Those 
who  stand  on  high  and  isolated  ground  take 
into  their  view  a  larger  surface,  and  are 
less  influenced  by  the  mists  that  overspread 


119 

U,  than  their  brethren  who  are  walking 
below  and  mingling  with  its  many  travellers. 
Let  us  not  lose  the  advantage  thus  figur- 
atively represented,  but  (adapting  the  Pro- 
phet's words  to  such  a  situation)  "  Let  U9 
stand  upon  our  watch  tower,  and  set  our- 
selves upon  the  tower  of  observation  watch- 
ing to  see  what  the  Lord  will  say  to  us, 
and  what  we  shall  answer  when  we  aro 
reproved."  We  may  then  hope  to  return 
with  invigorated  powers  to  the  routine  of 
our  appointed  occupations,  offering  the 
sacrifice  of  thanksgiving,  and  calling  upon 
the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  in  the  multitude 
of  the  thoughts  that  we  had  in  our  hearts, 
by  his  comforts  refreshed  our  souls. 

PRAYER. 

Oh  most  holy  Comforter!  who  didst  de- 
scend like  a  dove  on  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  lead  him  forth  into  the  secluded  wilder- 
ness, there  to  commune  with  the  Father 
concerning  the  salvation  of  his  chosen, 
breathe  upon  me,  his  unworthy  disciple, 
the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplication,  that  I 
may  delight  unfeignedly  in  every  enlarged 
opportunity  of  seeking  my  God,  and  pouring 
out  my  heart  before  lum.    Gluicken  me,  oh 


120 

Lord!  for  my  soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust. 
Make  thy  face  to  shine  upon  thy  servant, 
and  teach  me  thy  statutes.  Cause  me  to 
rejoice  in  every  event  that  conduces  to  bring 
me  nearer  to  thee,  and  to  nurture  my  mind 
in  humihty  and  the  love  of  holiness.  Make 
my  seasons  of  devotion  profitable,  both  to 
myself  and  others,  stirring  me  up  to  much 
and  manifold  intercession  for  my  friends,  for 
thy  Church,  and  for  all  men  ;  and  may  that 
peace  which  passeth  all  understanding  keep 
my  heart  and  mind,  for  ever  and  ever, 
through  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord. — Amen. 


"  He  went  oat  and  departed  into  a  solitary  place 
and  prayed."—^/.  Mark  i.  35. 

When,  rapidly  rolling,  the  wheels  of  our  life 
Move  on  undisturbed  by  affliction  or  strife, 
Oh !  how  soon  might  they  kindle  the  flame 

of  despair, 
Unless    rectified    still  by  the    unction  of 

prayer. 

How  desirable  then  is  the  stone  on  our 

way. 
Intercepting  a  little  their  uniform  play. 


121 

If  the  pause  of  retirement  but  lead  us  to 

think, 
It  may  hurry  us   back  from    a  precipice 

brink! 

The  wilderness  witnessed  our  pattern  and 

guide, 
When  in  pious  communion  He  sought  to 

abide, 
Preparing  for  conflicts,  with  labours  opprest, 
Meditation  apart  was  his  strength  and  his 

rest. 

Bless  the  Lord  then  my  spirit, — ah !  bless 
him  indeed, 

For  ihe  hours  of  refreshment  which  sickness 
hath  freed  ; 

But  adore  him  with  trembling, — with 
trembling  rejoice. 

Lest  his  mercies  abused  wake  his  chasten- 
ing voice. 


122 


MEDITATION  XVIII. 

"  And  they  brought  young  children  to  him,  that  he 
should  touch  them ;  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those 
that  brought  them.  But  when  Jesus  saw  it,  he  was 
much  displeased,  and  said  unto  them.  Suffer  the  little 
children  to  cojne  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not :  for 

of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. And  lie  took  them 

up  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands  upon  them,  and  blessed 
them."— <S7.  Mark  x.  13,  14,  16. 

The  more  closely  we  observe  and  analyze 
the  smallest  incidents  recorded  of  our 
blessed  Saviour's  life  and  actions,  the  more 
fully  will  it  appear  to  us  that  one  great 
purpose  of  the  Lord  of  glory,  when  he  con- 
descended to  dwell  on  earth,  conversing 
familiarly,  and  on  terms  of  condescending 
equality  with  the  sons  of  men,  was  to  dis- 
play in  the  way  most  intelligible  to  the 
human  understanding,  and  most  impressive 
on  the  human  heart,  the  true  character  of 
the  Almighty  Creator  and  Governor  of  all 
things  towards  his  intelligent  creatures. 

In  express  words  Jesus  intimated  this  ob- 
ject of  his  mission  when  he  said,  "No  man 
hath  seen  God  at  any  time,  the  only  begot- 
ten Son,  who  is  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father 
he  hath  declared  Him,"  and  oh !  how  beau- 


123 

tifuUy  is  this  object  developed  and  fulfilled 
on  the  occasion  which  forms  the  brief  nar- 
rative before  us.  He  took  infants  in  his 
arms  and  blessed  them.  If  Christ  be  "  God 
manifest  in  the  flesh,"  here  then  is  a  visible 
palpable  declaration,  that  '•  God  is  Love." 
His  sacred  word  asserts  it,  his  providential 
arrangements  confirm  it,  but  his  beloved 
Son  proves  it,  sets  it  actually  before  the  eyes 
of  men,  and  leaves  them  not  the  shadow  of 
an  excuse  for  doubting  it.  What  could  these 
helpless  infants  oflTer  to  the  Messiah,  that 
they  should  thus  have  the  unspeakable 
privilege  of  His  affectionate  embrace? 
Nothing,  absolutely  nothing,  not  even  their 
poor  powerless  gratitude.  Thus  not  by 
works  of  righteousness  that  we  have  done, 
but  according  to  his  mercy,  doth  the  Most 
High  save  us — freely  appointing  and  accept- 
ing for  us  a  way  of  access  in  which  He  will 
receive  and  bless  us.  Thus  does  He  act 
towards  all  who  evince  their  entire  confi- 
dence in  his  Infinite  tenderness,  and  come 
to  Him  craving  unmerited  favours.  None 
may  rebuke  them  for  their  unprofitableness. 
His  blessing  is  given  while  they  are  yet 
unable  of  themselves  to  help  themselves : 
"  While  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died 
for  the  ungodly." 


124 

Neither  will  He  upbraid  them  because  of 
the  root  of  bitterness  which  is  in  them  : 
Jesus  takes  the  babes  into  his  arms,  not  to 
hold  them  up  as  beacons  to  a  trembling  uni- 
verse of  the  irretrievable  misery  produced 
by  disobedience,  but  to  bless  them,  to  oblit- 
erate that  worst  ingredient  of  their  misery, 
alienation  from  himself,  by  saying,  "  Suffer 
them  to  come  unto  me — Forbid  them  not!" 
Oh  does  not  this  expressive  delineation  of 
the  boundless  goodness,  the  attractive  kind- 
ness of  the  Majesty  of  Heaven,  melt  our 
hearts,  overcome  our  enmity?  Unholy,  self- 
convicted  sinners!  well  might  ye  fear  to 
draw  nigh,  as  in  the  intimate  communion  of 
children,  had  ye  not  hope,  that  in  the  Lord 
there  is  plenteous  redemption.  Behold!  the 
Son  takes  in  his  own  holy  arms,  the  offspring 
of  sinful  parents  and  says,  *'  of  such  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven!"  that  He  may  exem- 
plify and  picture  to  you  the  expansive  com- 
passion of  the  Eternal  Jehovah.  Will  ye 
not,  then,  exclaim,  "  Who  is  a  God  like 
unto  Thee,  that  pardonest  the  transgres- 
sions of  the  remnant  of  thine  heritage,  that 
castest  our  sins  into  the  depths  of  the  sea  ?" 
Will  ye  not  henceforth  cry  unto  him  "  My 
Father,  Thou  art  the  guide  of  my  life?" 
Desire  you  not  to  approach  the  habitation 


125 

of  his  holiness,  the  brightness  of  his  glory, 
the  express  image  of  his  essence,  saying, 
Lord  Jesus,  I  am  thine.  My  soul  is  as  a 
weaned  child  before  thee,  no  way,  no 
resource  of  sustenance  and  happiness  is 
open  to  it  but  thy  goodness.  Take  me  into 
the  arms  of  thy  love,  and  give  unto  thy 
servant  the  blessing  of  peace,  write  my  un- 
worthy name  in  thy  book  of  life  by  virtue  of 
that  blessing,  and  make  me  joint  heir  with 
thyself  of  the  glory  which  is  prepared  for 
the  saints  in  light. 

But  there  are  other  ways  in  which  this 
lovely  picture  of  Christ's  condescending 
goodness  may  be  contemplated  with  advan- 
tage. Revelation's  luminous  hand  clears  up 
many  obscurities  in  the  Book  of  Nature,  and 
this  gracious  declaration  of  the  Redeemer 
concerning  the  admissibility  of  infants  to 
privileges  they  cannot  appreciate,  is  most 
valuable  as  a  sure  testimony  of  his  dispo- 
sition towards  them,  w'hen  removed  at  a 
period  incapable  of  individual  sin,  from 
this  present  life.  That  infants  should  suffer 
and  die,  would  be  very  inexplicable  on  the 
principles  of  mere  natural  religion.  The 
Scriptures  alone  give  us  any  insight  into  the 
cause,  '•  death  having  passed  upon  all  men, 
in  consequence  of  their  universal  connection 


126 

with  one  who  incurred  it  as  the  known 
penalty  of  his  own  act ;  but  the  words  of  the 
Lord,  "Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven," 
do  more  than  this,  they  show  us  that  these 
sufferings  are  but  temporary— a  point  in 
immeasurable  space,— that  such  death  is  but 
an  entrance  into  lite.  Where  no  deed  of  per- 
sonal disobedience  has  re-forfeited  the  once 
retrieved  inheritance,  they  direct  us  to  con- 
sider the  obedience  of  the  second  Adam  as 
having  availed  to  blot  out  on  behalf  of  his 
posterity,  the  darkly  recorded  guilt  of  their 
"First  Father."  The  sap  of  the  whole 
human  tree  is  indeed  envenomed,  but  when 
broken  off  in  its  earliest  spring,  the  evil  has 
not  so  circulated  into  the  newly  germinated 
twig,  as  to  show  even  the  buddings  of  the 
natural  fruit.  Often  then  doth  an  unseen 
and  beneficent  hand,  (after  divesting  it  of 
all  its  latent  poison,  by  a  sure  and  effica- 
cious, though  silent  process,)  take  it  away 
and  engraft  it  into  a  rich  and  fertile  vine  to 
bloom  and  bear  fruit  in  never-fading  glory. 
Instead,  therefore,  of  melancholy  regrets 
and  murmuring  cavils  at  the  mortality  in- 
cident to  those  who  have  never  personally 
sinned,  the  Christian  sees  ground  for  admir- 
ation of  the  great  mercy  of  God,  who  has 
reaped  to  himself  a  rich  harvest  from  the 


127 

fields  of  destruction,  by  suffering  the  little 
children,  whom  Jesus  hath  redeemed,  to 
come  unto  Him,  in  all  ages,  and  from  all 
nations,  tongues,  and  kindreds.  Of  his  un- 
speakable goodness  has  he  thus  perfected  to 
Himself  praise  out  of  tlie  moutlis  of  babes 
and  sucklings,  that  he  might  still  the  enemy 
and  avenger,  who  prompted  their  Parent's 
crime,  and  might  rescue,  untold  millions, 
from  that  horrible  gulf  of  hopeless  perdition 
into  which  they  would  have  fallen  had  they 
lived  to  knmv,  but  not  savingly  to  repent  of 
sin,  silencing  every  objection  of  the  foul 
accuser,  by  that  irresistible  sentence,  "  Who 
shall  condemn  !     It  is  Christ  that  died." 

Finally,  when  we  have  meditated  on  this 
transaction  as  an  expressive  type  of  the  sim- 
plicity and  humility,  in  which  we  should  ex- 
pect, obtain,  and  use,  gospel  blessings,  we 
may  ajso  observe  the  example  here  given  for 
the  purpose  of  directing  our  conduct  towards 
those  who,  being  yet  somewhat  dark,  con- 
fused or  insufficient  in  the  knowledge  of 
divine  things,  are  aptly  termed  babes,  as 
compared  to  others  whose  minds,  by  reason 
of  use,  are  more  competent  to  receive  it. 
Discourage  not  such  in  coming,  ye  who 
have  better  opportunities  of  knowing  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.    If  they  be  willing 


128 

and  obedient,  know  ye  not  that  they  shall 
eat  of  the  fruit  of  the  land,  and  though  they 
may  not  yet  be  capable  of  digesting  the 
"strong  meat,"  may  they  not  be  patiently 
fed  with  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word  ? 
Forbid  them  not,  but  encourage  them  rather 
to  follow  on  perseveringly  till  they  know 
the  way  of  the  Lord  more  perfectly,  till  the 
now  dawing  gleam  increase  to  the  perfect 
day  :  Encourage  them  to  come,  in  humble 
consciousness  of  their  own  helplessness  and 
ignorance,  to  Jesus  ;  for  "  of  such  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven." 

And  oh  !  if  the  Lord,  with  such  amiable 
tenderness,  received  and  rewarded  the  pious 
parents  who  besought  tokens  of  his  love  on 
their  little  ones,  can  we  too  early,  in  the 
fulness  of  faith  and  hope,  dedicate  to  Him 
our  own  fondly  cherished  babes  ?  If  we 
are  ourselves  of  his  own  peculiar  people, 
his  word  has  already  said  of  them,  "  Now 
are  they  holy."  May  it  be  our  persevering 
prayer  and  faithful  endeavour,  that  they 
should  so  escape  the  pollutions  of  the  world, 
through  the  effectual  sanctifiealion  of  the 
Spirit,  as  to  give  them  an  early  application 
of  these  words,  "  Ye  are  of  God,  little 
children,  and  have  overcome  them,  because 
greater  is  He  that  is  in  you,  than  He  that  is 


129 

in  the  world.  Little  children  abide  in  Him, 
that  when  he  shall  appear,  we  may  have 
confidence,  and  not  be  ashamed  before  Him 
at  his  coming." 

PRAYER. 

God  of  all  grace  !  by  whose  tender  mercy 
towards  a  seed  of  evil  doers,  the  day-spring 
from  on  high  hath  visited  us,  to  shew  us  the 
glories  of  the  divine  nature  in  the  face  of 
Jesus  Christ,  dispose  and  incline  my  heart 
continually  and  closely  to  study  the  sacred 
words  and  works  of  thy  beloved  Son,  in 
whom  Thou  art  well  pleased.  Remove 
from  my  mind  every  carnal  and  prejudiced 
feeling,  that  beholding  as  in  a  glass  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  I  may  be  changed  into 
some  reflection  of  the  same  glorious  image, 
and  go  on  my  way  rejoicing.  Purify  me 
even  as  Christ  was  pure.  Help  me  to  imi- 
tate his  affectionate  patience  towards  the 
young  and  ignorant,  and  the  sincere  love 
with  which  he  invoked  on  them  the  blessing 
from  on  high.  Heavenly  Father,  adorable 
Saviour,  pour  out  thy  benediction  upon  me, 
and  on  all  whom  I  bear  on  my  heart 
before  thee  at  this  time.  Give  them  a  name 
and  a  place  among  thy  children  in  t^e  kingw 
10 


130 

dom  of  thy  glory,  for  thy  great  mercy's 
sake. — Amen. 


"  Take  heed  that  ye  despise  not  one  of  these  little 
ones  :  for  1  say  unto  you,  that  in  heaven  their  angels 
do  always  behold  the  face  of  my  Father  which  is  in 
heaven." — St.  Matthew  xviii.  10. 

Repell'd,  and  yet  retained,  a  wondrous  sight 
On  the  rough  blade  impends  the  glittering 
dew, 

Trembling  and  shining,  like  a  beam  of  light, 
Condensed  into  a  drop  of  rainbow  hue. 

Thus  like  the  creatures  of  a  purer  sphere 
Unmingled  yet  with  all  the  black  alloy 

Of  sublunary  things,  refracting  clear 
Some  beauteous  rays  of  pure  primeval  joy, 

Jesus  beheld  you,  ye,  whose  angels  high, 
Unintermitted  see  his  Father's  face  ; 

Jesus  beheld  you,  and  with  pitying  eye, 
And  tender  speech  conferred  his  kind 
embrace. 

Ye  could  not  "  cone,"  yet  Mercy  called  it  so, 
When    others  brought    you  where  the 
Christ  received. 
Ye  could  not  plead,  when  bid  from  him  to  go, 
Yet  who  so  pleaded  for,  ye  babes  ag- 
grieved! 


131 

Safe  in  his  sheltering  arms,  his  word  of  loVe 
From  age  to  age  assures  us,  He  will  bear 

'The  tender  nestlings  of  his  turtle  dove, 
By  faith  presented  to  his  holy  care. 

And  shall  they  not  be  brought  ?   Shall  any 
say 
Fall  back,  ye  little  ones,  your  time's  not 
yet ; 
Or,  whom  the  Saviour  blesses  chide  away, 
Till  worthiness  for  blessings  they  may 
get? 


MEDITATION  XIX. 

"  What  is  your  life  1    It  is  eYen  a  vapour,  that 
BppeaTeth  for  little  time,  and  then  vanisheth  away." 
James  iv.  14. 

A  VAPOtiR !  quickly  exhaled  !  soon  dissi- 
pated !  Oh  man  !  is  this  all  thy  brief  exist- 
ence? Are  all  thy  schemes,  thy  highly 
isounding  designs,  thy  pompous  titles,  thy 
intricate  investigations,  dependant  on  that 
frail  uncertain  evaporating  thing,  which  thus 
appeareth  for  a  little  time,  and  then  vanish- 


132 

eth  away  ?  It  is  even  go.  Well  may  it  be 
said  "Cease  ye  from  man  whose  breath  is 
in  his  nostrils,  for  wherein  is  he  to  be 
accounted  of?"  His  manifold  solicitudes 
for  the  future,  how  vain  are  they  !  That 
future,  perhaps,  beholds  him  cold,  inani- 
mate, insensible  to  joy  or  woe.  How  vain 
his  presumptuous  boastings  of  the  morrow  ! 
He  knows  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth. 

There  is  no  one  subject  more  continually 
brought  under  our  observation  than  this : 
the  crowded  street,  whose  habitations  en- 
dure,  reminds  us  as  forcibly,  where  now  are 
the  builders  thereof!  as  the  tomb  of  the 
dead,  or  the  chamber  of  the  dying ;  but 
though  in  theory  no  absurdity  can  be  more 
glaring  than  to  forget  that  which  is  so 
present  to  our  daily  experience,  yet  where 
is  the  person  who  duly  remembers  it? 

We  see  our  contemporaries,  our  acquaint- 
ances, our  relatives,  successively  and  rapidly 
disappearing.  They  depart  quickly,  and 
the  place  thereof  knoweth  them  no  more ; 
as  a  dream,  as  a  shadow,  as  a  concluded 
tale,  they  are  past  away.  No  security  have 
we,  that  we  shall  not  follow  them  ere  an- 
other's sun  has  risen  in  its  splendour ;  yet 
where  are  they  who  lay  this  to  heart,  who 
live  as  in  the  raidst  of  death,  using  their 


133 

lamp  actively,  efficiently,  cheerfully,  while 
it  does  burn,  but  looking  from  day  to  day, 
from  hour  to  hour,  for  the  sudden  blast  to 
which  it  is  constantly  exposed,  and  from 
which  no  art  of  man  can  cover  or  protect  it. 
But  there  is  a  lamp  whose  flame  expires  not, 
whose  bright  glow  is  no  transient  meteor, 
but  the  radiance  of  an  eternal,  immutable, 
inexhaustible,  luminary  ;  and  do  we  not 
ardently  desire  its  never-dying  presence  ? 
There  is  a  life  hidden  with  Christ  in  God, 
and  can  we  prefer  any  earthly  trifle  to  the 
possession  of  it  ?  There  is  a  promise, 
"  He  that  heareth  my  word,  and  beheveth 
in  Him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life, 
and  he  that  liveth  and  beheveth  in  me  shall 
never  die,"  and  can  we  rest  till  vve  embrace 
it  as  given  to  ourselves  ?  '*  Because  I  live," 
says  the  Saviour,  "  ye  shall  live  also."  That^ 
then  is  not  life,  which  has  no  connection, 
no  union  with  Him,  the  only  true  source  of 
vitality.  To  be  in  Him,  by  whom  and  for 
whom  are  all  things,  as  his  devoted,  loving, 
beloved  members :  this  is  to  be  alive  unto 
God.  To  deny  Him,  to  walk  no  more  with 
him,  to  remain  wilfully  ignorant  of  him,  of 
his  offices,  of  his  love :  this  is  blindness, 
numbness,  misery. 
Oh  my  soul !  thy  days  on  earth  are  num- 


134 

bered  ;  as  the  thread  of  the  weaver's  shuttle, 
they  may  be  suddenly  broken  off  when  ap- 
parently most  smooth  in  their  career.  But 
Jesus  came  that  thou  mightest  have  life,  a 
name  and  a  place  among  happy  immortals, 
rejoicing  together  in  the  riches  of  his  grace. 
He  came  that  thou  mightest  have  it  abund- 
antly. Why  then  content  thyself  with  such 
languid  progress,  such  sickly  and  interrupted 
evidences  of  thy  acceptance  in  the  Beloved? 
Thou  art  not  straitened  in  Him,  for  he  is  all 
fulness,  but  thou  hast  not  because  thou  ask- 
est  not.  He  says,  Drink,  yea,  drink  abund- 
antly of  my  grace  ;  but  thy  thirst  is  slaked 
with  lower  blessings;  and  where  are  thy 
ardent  longings  that  one  should  give  thee  of 
the  well  of  Bethlehem?  Oh  awake,  thou  arm 
of  the  Lord  !  and  revive  my  drooping  ener- 
gies ;  put  activity  into  my  obedience,  in  the 
use  of  every  talent  committed  to  me  ;  and 
as  it  was  said  to  the  creatures  when  endued 
with  annual  life,  "  increase,"  "  multiply," 
and  "  replenish  the  earth,"  may  I  know  that 
I  have  true  spiritual  life,  by  a  fervent  wish 
'  and  sincere  endeavours  to  diffuse  it  through 
the  whole  sphere  of  my  influence.  Accord- 
ing to  the  Lord's  own  tender  expostulation, 
"  He  hath  no  pleasure  at  all  in  the  death  of 
the  wicked,  but  that  he  should  turn  from  his 


135 

evil  ways  and  live,"  and  how  can  we  be  his 
faithful  ones  if  we  strive  not  to  forward  that 
which  he  has  thus  declared  to  be  his  plea- 
sure ?  Oh  may  He  renew  the  face  of  the 
earth,  and  may  the  spiritually  dead  hear  his 
voice,  cast  aside  the  vanities  of  time,  and 
deliirht  themselves  in  Him;  for  in  "Him 
shall  all  the  seed  of  Israel  be  justified  and 
shall  glory." 

PRAYER. 

Oh  ever  living  !  ever  adorable  Jehovah  ! 
shall  we  who  inhabit  houses  of  clay,  who 
are  frail  and  feeble  and  short-lived  creatures, 
venture  into  thy  glorious  and  awful  pres- 
ence ?  Yea,  Lord,  for  thou  hast  com- 
manded us  to  come,  and  thou  hast  even 
reproved  us  by  the  voice  of  thy  Son,  saying, 
"  Ye  will  not  come  to  me  that  ye  might 
have  life,"  therefore,  now  trusting  in  the 
multitude  of  thy  mercies,  do  I  approach  thy 
mercy-seat,  oh  Lord  !  beseeching  Thee  to 
give  me  the  seeing  eye,  and  the  understand- 
ing heart,  of  a  new  creature  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  to  enlighten  me  continually  with 
the  blessed  doctrines  of  thy  word.  Enable 
me  to  crucify  and  render  harmless,  all 
worldly  affections  and  desires  within  mo. 


136 

Keep  me  in  remembrance,  that  not  only  foy 
my  mortal  body,  but  for  my  immortal  spirit, 
in  Thee  I  live  and  move,  and  have  my 
being;  and  endue  nie  with  an  assured  hope 
that  when  this  earthly  house  of  my  taber- 
nacle is  dissolved,  I  have  a  house  not  made 
with  hands  eternal  in  the  heavens,  prepared 
for  me  through  the  prevailing-  merits  of  our 
ever  gracious  High  Priest  and  meritorious 
sacrifice,  Jesus  Christ. — Amen. 


**  O  that  Ishmael  might  live  before  thee." 

Genesis  xvii,  18. 

Could  Parents  hold  a  magic  glass. 
Wherein  should  meet  their  eyes. 

Those  troubled  scenes  through  which  shall 
pass, 
The  offspring  whom  they  prize, 

How  oft  the  views  depicted  there, 

Of  sorrow  and  of  strife, 
Would  wake  for  early  death  the  prayer, 

That  now  beseeches  life  ! 

And  though  before  the  eye  of  sense, 

No  lights  prophetic  gleam, 
How  vain  to  draw  permission  thence. 

For  Hope's  delightful  dream. 


137 

Experience  and  the  word  of  Truth, 
Full  soon  such  visions  break, 

And  bid  the  rosy  lips  of  youth, 
The  cup  of  sorrows  take. 

Then  why  for  dying  life  like  this. 

With  strong  petitions  plead, 
And  for  your  darling's  better  bliss, 

So  slightingly  take  heed  ? 

Hark  how  the  pious  Patriarch  speaks ! 

Suppose  you  that  his  cry 
Refers  but  to  the  days  and  weeks 

Ere  his  beloved  die  ? 

Suppose  you  that  the  bounded  span 

Of  Ishmael's  dwelling  here, 
The  breathings  of  the  faithful  mark 

Comprised  within  its  sphere  ? 

Ah !  take  with  him  a  loftier  flight, 

That  only  living  call, 
Which  breathes  to  God !  and  in  his  might 

Bursts  off  corruption's  thrall. 

Oh  Life  eternal !  Life  begun  ! 

E'en  in  a  house  of  clay, 
Obedient  as  the  constant  sun 

In  Heaven's  appointed  way : 


138 

Life  !  still  miraculously  fed 

By  God  the  Spirit's  care, 
With  rich  reception  of  "  The  Bread'^ 

Jehovah  did  prepare. 

Thou  art  existence  !  and  to  thee 
Should  point  the  parent's  love, 

That  intercedes  with  energy 
For  blessings  from  above. 


MEDITATION  XX. 

_"  For  it  is  written,  I  will  destroy  the  wisdom  of  the 
wise,  and  will  bring  to  nothing  the  understanding  of 
the  prudent."— 1st  Corinthians  i.  19. 

The  desires  of  the  self-seeking  mind,  in 
various  ways,  concur  to  usurp  and  occupy 
that  pre-eminence  which  is  due  to  the 
Creator  alone.  But  in  no  respect  has  man 
been  seduced  more  readily  and  fatally  from 
the  supreme  allegiance  which  he  owes  to  the 
Lord  his  God,  than  by  an  inordinate,  un- 
sanctified,  seeking  after  knowledge.  Where- 
ever  knowledge  is  sought  merely  for  its  own 
sake ;  wherever  the  elevation  of  human  in- 
tellect, as  an  independent  intelligence,  and 
not  the  expansion  of  the  faculties  for  adora- 


139 

tion  of  the  Beneficient  Being  who  bestowed 
them,  is  the  chief  object  of  mental  cultiva- 
tion, the  pursuit  must  assuredly  be  deemed, 
in  its  nature,  unhallowed,  and  in  its  effects, 
pernicious. 

"  To  be  as  gods,^^  in  the  acquisition  of 
extended  wisdom  about  the  nature  of  all 
things  "  good  and  evil,"  is  a  snare,  which 
has  indeed  been  long  in  use,  but  has  not 
even  yet,  by  any  means,  lost  its  power  over 
the  hearts  of  foolish,  ambitious  creatures. 
The  gentile  world,  professing  themselves  to 
be  wise,  became  fools."  Their  philosophers, 
(with  few  exceptions,)  when  too  refined  to 
entertain  the  grosser  superstitions  of  the 
multitude,  deified  their  own  understand- 
ings;  and,  alas!  there  is  even  yet  a  genera- 
tion who  are  wise  in  their  own  eyes,  and 
instructed,  not  that  they  may  praise,  but 
too  often  that  they  may  insult,  the  Giver 
of  all  true  wisdom.  It  is  the  besetting  sin 
of  our  age  to  bestow  far  more  attention 
on  the  mere  accumulation  of  facts  within 
the  memory,  than  on  their  right  apphcation 
to  the  conscience.  Many  run  to  and  fro, 
and  knowledge  is  increase'd  ;  but  where  are 
they  who  study  for  personal  improvement  in 
principles  and  practice,  and  make  all  their 
studies  more  or  less  directly  conduce  tp  the 


140 

glory  of  God  and  benefit  of  society, — ex- 
tending that  benefit  beyond  the  contracted 
sphere  of  visible  things  ? 

Revelation  itself  is  brought  before  the 
tribunal  of  human  opinion, — not  to  ascer- 
tain its  sense,  not  to  examine  its  authen- 
ticity,— but  try  its  consistency  v^^ith  precon- 
ceived notions  of  the  fitting  and  the  good  ; 
to  explain  away  the  miracles  by  which  it 
was  attested — to  neutralize  its  doctrines — 
to  soften  down  its  holy  requisitions — to  put 
aside,  as  the  result  o(  obsolete  and  uninspired 
traditions,  the  belief  of  those  sacred  mys- 
teries to  which  the  holy  penmen  refer.  Vain 
man  !  will  ye  thus  assume  the  authority  of 
Wisdom,  and  exalt  yourselves  to  teach  your 
teachers  ?  Wo  !  wo  unto  you  !  for  ye  put 
bitter  for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter ;  ye 
put  darkness  for  light,  and  light  for  dark- 
ness. 

Oh  !  let  me  be  on  my  guard  against  the 
most  specious  and  subtle  risings  of  this  vain- 
glorious and  dangerous  spirit;  this  most 
hateful  of  that  serpent  tribe,  the  corrup- 
tions of  man.  Every  exhibition  of  talent 
for  the  sake  of  display,  has  in  it  a  tincture 
of  this  spirit ;  every  ingenious  sophism  by 
which  we  think  to  blunt  the  keen  edge  of 
Scripture,  when  coming  too  near  our  own 


141 

consciences,  is  but  a  modification  of  it  3 
every  indulged  sentiment  of  delight  in  the 
misdirected  exertions  of  genius,  flourishing 
from  a  godless  soil,  shews  the  latent  seeds 
of  it  to  be  in  our  own  hearts ;  and,  if  scru- 
tinized closely,  alas  !  where  is  the  Christian 
who  is  totally  free  from  its  baneful  influ- 
ence ?  Is  there  no  self-gratification  when 
our  prayers  have  been  fluent,  and  our  hearts 
(according  to  our  own  conceits)  enlarged  ? 
Is  there  no  conscious  complacency,  because 
we  have  devised  ingeniously,  or  executed 
acceptably,  rather  than  a  pure,  deep,  unal- 
loyed delight,  that  our  Redeemer  is  hon- 
oured, and  his  spiritual  kingdom  advanced? 
Verily  we  may  smite  on  our  breasts  saying, 
"  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner,"  when 
we  detect  this  spirit  mingling  with  our  very 
devotions,  and  so  debasing  even  the  fine 
gold  ef  the  sanctuary,  that  we  may  almost 
universally  take. up  the  Apostle's  lamenting 
declaration  and  say,  "  aW,"  (in  some  degree 
or  other,)  "  seek  their  own,  not  the  things 
which  are  Jesus  Christ's!" 

But  if  it  be  thus  even  in  the  Church,  in 
the  world  this  ungodly  influence  is  truly 
dreadful.  It  envelopes  the  spiritually  in- 
sensible within  such  redoubled  coatings  of 
resistance,  and  they  adhere  so  tenaciously 


14^ 

to  their  Very  substance,  that  gharp  and  mi& 
is  often  the  process  of  tearing  them  aside^ 
when  Almighty  Mercy  gives  the  word,  and 
the  proud  worshipper  of  intellectual  wealth, 
is  made  to  enter  the  rock,  and  to  hide  him* 
self  in  the  dust  for  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  for 
the  glory  ©f  his  majesty,  and  to  acknow* 
ledge  that  the  preaching  of  the  cross  is  to 
them  that  perish,  foolishness,  but  to  them 
that  are  saved,  Christy  the  wisdom  of  God, 
and  the  power  of  God. 

Oh  it  is  a  goodly  sight,  when  every 
thought  is  subdued  into  the  subjection  of 
willing  obedience  unto  the  revelations  of  the 
Most  High.  When  they  are  received,  not 
as  the  writings  of  falhble  men,  but  as  the 
testimonies  of  Truth,  from  which  not  one 
jot,  not  one  tittle,  shall  in  any  wise  depart 
until  the  whole  be  fulfilled,  and  which  are 
able  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation.  A 
blessed  sight  it  is  when  the  haughtiness  of 
man  is  laid  low,  and  all  his  lofty  imaginings 
terminated  in  this  conviction,  that  to  fear 
God,  and  to  keep  his  commandments,  and 
to  be  at  peace  with  Him  through  a  propiti- 
ating Mediator,  is  the  concentration  of  all 
genuine  felicity,  and  that  to  depart  from 
evil,  that  is  understanding. 


143 


PRAYER. 

Great  is  thy  long-suffering  patience,  Al* 
mighty,  but  gracious  God  I  that  the  insolent 
pride  of  rebellious  worms  has  not  provoked 
thee  long  since  to  consume  us  in  vindica- 
tion of  thy  Sovereign  Majesty;  yea,  to 
destroy  us  utterly.  Pride  was  not  made  for 
man.  Behold  we  are  vile,  what  can  we 
offer  to  thee  ?  Hath  not  thy  hand  given  us 
all  that  we  possess  ?  We  must  crave  from 
thyself  the  only  acceptable  sacrifice,  the 
broken  and  the  contrite  heart,  which  Thou 
dost  not  despise.  Lord,  look  on  me,  thy 
sinful  suppliant,  and  bestow  on  me  this 
blessed  gift.  Lead  me  in  unfeigned  humil- 
ity to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  induce  me 
to  embrace  the  invitations  of  Him,  who  suf- 
fered there,  the  just  for  the  unjust.  With 
Jesus  my  Lord  in  view,  may  I  neither  trust 
to  my  own  heart,  nor  lean  to  my  own  un- 
derstanding, but  in  all  my  ways  acknow- 
ledge thee,  and  obtain  thy  unerring  direction, 
and  unto  Thee,  who  art  the  King  Eternal, 
Immortal,  Invisible,  the  only  Wise  God,  be 
honour,  and  glory,  and  praise  for  ever.— 
Amen. 


144 

*'  To  this  man  will  I  look,  even  to  him  that  is  poor, 
^d  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and  trembleth  at  my  word." 
—Isaiah  ixvi.  2. 

"Verily  I  say  unto  you,  whosoever  shall  not  re- 
ceive  the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  he  shall 
not  enter  therein."— ^^  Mark  x.  15, 


Where  is  thia  world's  disputer  ?  where  the 

wise, 

In  subtlest  themes  of  philosophic  thoug^ht? 

Can  all  their  science,  falsely  named,  suffice, 

To  gain  that  kingdom  which  the  Saviour 

bought. 


Ah  no !  Salvation  has  no  lofty  door, 

Through  which,   erect,  in    self- exalting 
pride. 
And  crown'd  with  pompous  gems  of  human 
lore, 
Mancan  in  triumph  march,   hie  God 
defied ; 

But  when  to  infant  simpleness  and  trust, 
Bends  the  proud  soul,  embracing  Jesus 
given. 

What  systems  can  philosophy  adjust, 
To  give  that  soul  so  pure  a  taste  of  heaven  ? 


145 

Say'st  thou,  "  Presumption,  only  would  ad- 
vance, 

With  less  than  Virtue's  fulness  to  prefer, 
Dare  I  assume  the  vast  inheritance, 

Till  years  of  holiness  the  right  confer?" 

Ages  of  holiness  no  right  could  give, 
Nor  freeness  of  that  blessing  supersede; 

As  rationally  might  you  fear  to  live 

Till  you  had  purchased  all  the  breath  you 
need ! 

'Tis  sweet  Humihty  that  enters  in. 
Invited  freely,  and  receiving  blest, 

But  haughty  perseverance  unto  sin, 

Usurps  her  name,  and  spurns  the    Sa- 
viour's rest. 

True,  thou  art  helpless  as  the  new-born 
child. 
And  quite  as  destitute !  the  more  thy  need, 
On  God  in  Christ,  thy  Father  reconciled, 
/  Simply  to  rest,  and  on  his  fulness  feed. 

//Meek,  babe-like  souls,  encouragement  to 

This  gospel  strain  in  silvery  sweetness 
tells. 
Who  lowhest  stoop  among  the  chosen  few, 
In  them  most  potently  the  Saviour  dwells, 
11 


146 


MEDITATION  XXI. 


"O  Jerusalem.  JcrusalehV,— how  often  would  I 
have  gathered  thy  children  together,  even  as  a  hen 
gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye 
would  miV'—St.  Matthew  xxiii.  37. 


It  were  difficult  to  say  whether  in  this 
pathetic  lamentation,  the  condescending 
tenderness  of  the  remonstrance,  or  the 
frigid  obduracy  of  those  to  whom  it  was 
addressed,  be  most  conspicuous.  Certainly 
there  is  in  both  what  may  well  excite  our 
wonder,  even  if  we  limit  our  thoughts  to 
that  nation  whose  city  was  especially  apos- 
trophized. It  is  a  sort  of  epitome  of  their 
whole  history.  Provocations  in  return  for 
unexampled  wonders  of  kindness — patient 
forbearance  insulted  by  continual  rebellions 
— enmity  holding  out  against  entreating 
love — a  perverse,  stiffnecked  nation — a 
long-suffering  wonder-working  God  ! 

But  the  Shepherd  of  Israel  had  other 
sheep  not  of  that  peculiar  fold.  Them 
also  must  He  bring  that  they  might  be 
blessed  with  faithful  Abraham.    Not  the 


147 

sons  of  Jacob  only,  but  all  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  Adam  does  He  continually 
invite  to  look  unto  Him  that  they  may  be 
saved  ;  and  alas !  to  how  large  a  proportion 
might  He  appropriate  the  language  he  ap- 
plied to  Jerusalem,  "  How  often  would  I 
have  gathered  you  together  unto  me,  and  ye 
wrould  not."  And  how  simple,  yet  beauti- 
ful, is  the  simiMtude  by  which  he  illustrates 
his  love:  instinctive  affection  prompts  the 
hen  to  gather  her  chickens  under  her  wings  ; 
her  anxious  voice  warns  them  of  impending 
peril,  or  summons  them  to  needful  provis- 
ion ;  with  self-denying  care  she  waits  long 
for  the  reward  of  knowing  them  as  her 
cherished  brood,  and  when  they  come  forth 
from  their  imprisonment,  how  industriously 
does  she  procure  for  them  all  that  their 
wants  demand.  She  shelters  them  from 
every'  inconvenience;  she  protects  them 
from  every  hostility  as  far  as  her  ability 
permits.  "  She  gathers  them  under  her 
wings  !" 

How  readily  does  the  Christian  discern, 
in  all  these  lender  demonstrations  of  affec- 
tionate interest,  an  apt  resemblance  to  the 
work  of  the  Redeemer  towards  his  beloved 
and  ransomed  people.  Long  and  patiently 
does  He  "  wait "  for  them ;  kindly  does  He 


148 

cherish  in  them,  their  yet  unfledged  graces, 
and  prepare  them  for  what  is  to  form  the 
scope  and  enjoyment  of  their  existence,  the 
promotion  of  glory  to  God  by  their  holy  and 
willing  services;  how  safe  are  they  when 
confidentially  trusting  in  their  Lord's  re- 
vealed mercies.  When  they  are  entering 
upon  any  dangerous  path,  or  when  the 
Tempter,  like  an  impending  bird  of  prey, 
is  hovering  about  them,  watching  to  devour, 
how  providential  are  the  warnings  they 
receive  from  God's  word,  from  his  ministers, 
from  the  events  around  them,  to  flee  to  their 
hiding-place  of  invulnerable  safety ;  how 
abundant  are  the  supplies,  how  sweet  and 
nourishing  the  stores  of  gospel  food  and 
refreshment  laid  up  for  them ;  how  precious 
the  consoling  conviction,  that  personal  su- 
perintendance,  vigilant  tenderness,  are  in 
unceasing  exercise  towards  all  of  them  indis- 
criminately ;  that  there  is  ample  room  be- 
neath the  outstretched  compassion  of  the 
Almighty  Summoner,  for  every  one  who 
hears  and  obeys  the  call  of  mercy,  and 
treasures  of  grace,  inexhaustible  by  the 
largest  demands.  Verily  under  their  Sa- 
viour's wings  they  have  a  refuge,  and  there 
do  they  rest  till  every  tyranny,  every  ca- 
lamity be  overpast.  But  alas !  Jesus  said  of 


149 

the  Jews,  ye  looidd  not.  He  said  it  and  wept ! 
What  will  He  say  of  t(s  ?  Oh  it  is  an  impor- 
tant inquiry,  If  God  be  so  condescending 
as  to  plead  with  man  for  his  own  eternal 
peace,  who  are  they  that  beUeve  the  report 
and  are  melted  by  the  pleading.  If  the 
Lord  deign  to  say,  "  I,  even  I,  am  He  that 
comforteth  you,"  who  are  they  that  are 
aroused  by  such  compassionate  words  to 
disdain  the  vanity  of  frivolous  pleasures, 
and  to  value  lightly  every  created  comfort 
in  comparison  of  that  promised  friendship. 
Who  are  they  that  reflect  so  profitably  on 
the  brittle  texture  of  earthly  blessings,  as  to 
use  only  without  abusing  them,  who  enjoy 
them  indeed  by  the  way,  as  the  pilgrim 
inhales  the  coohng  breeze  that  enlivens  his 
path,  but  are  too  intent  on  the  grand  object 
of  their  course,  to  be  induced  by  these 
pleasant  occasional  reliefs  to  lie  down 
supinely,  slumbering  beneath  their  seducing 
influence,  and  so  retard  their  progress 
heavenwards? 

That  the  Lord  Jesus  exemplified  in  action 
the  character  of  the  invisible  Godhead,  is  a 
truth  which  we  have  already  dwelt  upon  in 
meditation,  and  it  is  strikingly  displayed  in 
the  passage  before  us. 

How  could  imagination  devise  a  more 


150 

full  correspondence  than  this  narration  pre- 
sents with  those  passages  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment that  delineate  a  yearning,  pleading 
Jehovah.  Hear  him  saying  of  an  ungrateful, 
disobedient,  apostate  people,  "  How  shall  I 
give  thee  up  Ephraim?  how  shall  I  deliver 
thee  Israel?  how  shall  I  make  thee  as 
Adtnah?  how  shall  I  set  thee  as  Zeboim  ? 
Mine  heart  is  turned  within  me,  my  repent- 
ings  are  kindled  together:  I  will  not  execute 
the  fierceness  of  mine  anger."  "  Turn  ye, 
turn  ye,  for  why  will  ye  die  ?"  Hear  Him 
saying,  "  In  all  their  afflictions  I  was 
afflicted,"  then  turn  to  his  Incarnate  Son  ; 
behold  his  tears  mingling  with  his  rebukes, 
his  soul  melting  in  pity  for  the  desolations 
which  he  foresees  coming  on  the  beloved 
city,  and  say,  is  he  not  indeed  the  mani- 
festation in  the  flesh  of  the  just  God.  the 
Saviour?  And  if  this  be  conceded,  there 
is  yet  an  observation  to  be  made  :  Let  none 
forget  that  there  is  yet  one  attribute  of  the 
Godhead,  Judgment  on  the  obstinately  im- 
penitent, which  Jesus  of  Nazareth  must  set 
forth  before  men,  in  the  flesh  that  he  as- 
sumed as  the  mirror  of  Deity.  He  hath  yet 
to  exemplify  openly  in  human  action,  that 
awful  definition  of  the  Prophet  Nahum, 
"  God  is  jealous,  and  the  Lord  revengeth. 


151 

The  Lord  will  take  vengeance  on  his  adver- 
saries, and  he  reserveth  wrath  for  his 
enemies."  But  how  merciful  is  He  in  his 
indignation  to  be  still  warning  and  expostu- 
lating with  us,  notwithstanding  our  long 
indifference  ;  still  admonishing  the  wicked 
to  forsake  his  way,  and  the  unrighteous 
their  thoughts,  and  to  "  come  under  his 
wings  and  be  safe  under  his  feathers."  Oh 
let  us  kiss  the  Son,  lest  he  be  angry  ;  lest 
when  his  wrath  be  kindled  we  perish  in  our 
sins.  Is  He  already  our  tried  corner-stone 
of  safety,  then  cordially  do  we  add  the  last 
clause  of  that  M'arning  verse,  "Blessed  are 
they  that  trust  in  Him."  What  exceeding 
consolation  is  contained  in  the  strong  as- 
surance of  faith,  that  the  Eternal  God  is  our 
refuge,  the  Lord  Jehovah  our  everlasting 
strength.  In  pain,  or  in  privation,  how 
precious  to  rest  on  Him,  as  on  a  mother's 
tender  breast  rests  her  feeble  babe,  wearied 
with  suffering.  When  dark  threatenings  of 
trouble  and  perplexity  are  gathering  around, 
their  portentous  appearance  may  distress, 
but  it  cannot  dismay.  The  prayer  of  the 
Christian,  more  potent  than  the  boldly 
wielded  rod  of  the  electrician,  draws  out 
from  those  black  clouds  every  alarming 
quality,  and  directs  the  salutary  flame  to 


152 

kindle  a  new  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving  on 
the  altar  of  the  heart. 

If  they  be  indeed  the  sufferings  of  Christ 
that  we  in  any  shape  endure  ;  if  they  be 
cheerfully  borne  for  his  sake,  with  the  same 
great  objects  in  view,  of  which  he  never 
lost  sight,  and  if  they  be  met  in  the  same 
spirit  of  meek  acquiescence,  of  uncomplain- 
ing, patient,  gentleness,  so  also  by  Christ 
shall  our  consolations  abound.  Our  broken, 
because  self-hewed,  cisterns  may  be  drained 
and  polluted,  but  the  fountain  of  living 
waters  never  fails.  The  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  the  God  of  all  mercies,  is  the 
God,  not  of  temporary,  nor  of  partial,  but 
of  all  comfort.  Oh  let  me  pour  out  my 
heart  before  him  at  all  times,  and  I  shall 
find  him  a  very  present  help  in  every  time 
of  trouble. 

PRAYER. 

Oh  God !  I  bewail  the  sinful  coldness 
with  which  the  advances  of  thy  tender  pity 
towards  us,  miserable  sinners,  are  contin- 
ually met ;  especially  I  bewail  my  own  guilt 
and  hardness  of  heart  which  have  made  me 
criminally  indifierent  to  the  things  of  my 
everlasting  peace.  Preserve  me,  oh  gracious 


153 

Father,  from  that  judicially  inflicted  blind- 
ness, under  approaching  judgments,  which 
is  an  awful  forerunner  of  wrath  in  those 
whom  thou  hast  long  wooed  in  mercy  to 
come  under  thy  wings,  and  they  would  not. 
Preserve  me  from  disregarding  the  compas- 
sionate strivings  of  thy  Holy  Spirit  within 
me.  Let  me  never  quench  nor  grieve  Him, 
but  receiving  him  as  the  only  Comforter, 
may  all  the  consohng  truths  of  rehgion  act 
forcibly  upon  my  heart,  and  enable  me 
even  to  rejoice  in  tribulations  as  thy  ap- 
pointed messengers  for  my  good,  as  proofs 
of  thy  love,  and  instruments  of  thy  wisdom. 
May  grace  and  peace  refresh  me,  and  all 
the  people  of  thy  pasture,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Saviour. — Amen. 


"  As  one  whom  his  mother  comforteth,  so  will  I 
comfort  you." — Isaiah  Ixvi.  13. 

When  pangs  it  cannot  utter,  wring 

The  tender  infant's  frame, 
And  deeply,  keenly,  shoots  the  sting 

Of  ancestorial  blame, 


154 

What  anodyne  avails  so  well, 

What  sympathy  so  sweet, 
As  that  which  draws  its  secret  spell 

From  hearts  with  love  replete  ? 

And  when  advancing  childhood  knows 

A  less  corporeal  pang. 
And  youth's  maturer,  deeper  woes, 

Thick  o'er  her  prospects  hang. 

Shall  anguish  find  compassion  bland, 

Or  grief,  a  friend  sincere, 
If  not  in  her,  whose  loving  hand, 

Dried  its  primeval  tear? 

Oh  then  of  Love  what  treasures  deep, 

Reveals  the  sacred  Word, 
When,  pointing  out  to  them  that  weep. 

Their  mercy  beaming  Lord. 

Thus,  thus  the  truthful  witness  saith, 
(Hear  ye  the  witness  true,) 

"  As  one-his  mother  comforteth, 
So  will  I  comfort  you!" 

What  but  a  churl's  ingratitude, 
Remote  from  God  would  mourn, 

Wooed  by  such  sweet  similitude, 
Entreated  to  return ! 


155 

Earth's  best  refreshments,  frail  and  brief, 

If  leaned  upon  too  much, 
But  aggravate  the  mourner's  grief, 

When  wrested  from  its  touch. 

But  He  who  piteth  his  own, 
With  more  than  mother's  heart. 

Gives  peace  from  an  eternal  throne, 
Peace  never  to  depart ! 


MEDITATION  XXII. 

"  Their  young  ones  are  in  good  liking,  they  grow 
up  with  corn;  they  go  forth,  and  return  not  unto 
them.  Who  hath  sent  out  the  wild  ass  free  1  or  who 
hath  loosed  the  bonds  of  the  wUd  ass  V 

Job  xxxix.  3,  4. 

The  material  creation  is  as  an  open  book 
of  instruction,  wherein  every  being  formed 
with  reasoning  powers,  may,  by  the  atten- 
tive use  of  them,  attain  to  some  perception 
of  the  Wisdom  and  Glory  of  its  Author. 
Those  clearer  and  more  enlarged  testimo- 
nies, delivered  by  the  instrumentality  of 
holy  men  of  old,  and  hxmded  down  from  age 


156 

to  age  in  their  genuine  writings,  refer  us 
often  to  that  universal  volume,  not  only 
freely  employing  the  visible  things  around  us 
as  symbols  and  tokens  of  abstract  truths, 
but  pointing  out  much  direct  information  as 
to  the  ways  and  dealings  of  the  Lord,  to  be 
derived  from  closely  examining  the  arrange- 
ment of  his  Providence  throughout  the  in- 
ferior and  inanimate  divisions  of  nature. 
But  as  in  the  early  period  when  Job  lived, 
it  was  lamented,  "  None  saith,  where  is 
God  my  Maker !  that  giveth  songs  in  the 
night,  that  maketh  us  to  know  more  than 
the  beasts  of  the  earth,  and  to  be  wiser  than 
the  fowls  of  heaven  ?"  so  in  our  own  days, 
there  are  many  who  discern  not  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  neither  regard  the  operations  of 
his  hands,  even  when  science  has  unfolded 
to  them  the  well-adapted  economy  estab- 
lished towards  every  class  of  living  beings, 
and  is  still  developing  new  wonders  in  every 
compartment  of  nature's  richly-gemmed 
casket.  It  might  appear  strange  that 
beings,  naturally  inquisitive,  should  pay 
little  attention  to  innumerable  curious  and 
interesting  facts  offered  to  their  observation. 
Yet  however  unlikely,  it  is  but  too  prac- 
tically visible,  that  a  total  want  of  considera- 
tion, when  viewing  the  beautiful  and  inge- 


157 

niou3  works  by  which  the  eye  of  man  is 
surrounded,  is  a  leading  feature  in  the  char- 
acter of  many,  wlio  yet  call  themselvea 
rational  and  grateful  creatures.  Inquiries 
are  indeed  made,  and  investigations  dili- 
gently prosecuted  from  vain-glorious,  or 
self-indulgent,  or  sordid  motives.  Profit- 
able rewards,  a  distinguished  reputation, 
the  gratification  of  a  refined  taste,  or  of  an 
eager  curiosity,  have  all  sufficient  influence 
to  prompt  men's  accurate  investigation  into 
the  various  modifications  of  animal  exist- 
ence, and  the  provisions  made  for  its  advan- 
tage ;  but  comparatively  few  look  into  these 
things,  that  by  beholding  the  minute,  the 
never-failing  sufficiency  of  his  regulations, 
they  may  bless  and  magnify  the  Divine 
Regulator.  The  verse  now  chosen  for  med- 
itation, relates  to  one  of  those  wise  provi- 
dential arrangements,  which  perhaps  1  have 
less  attended  to  than  I  ought  to  have  done  ; 
but  that  it  is  wwthy  of  attention  cannot  be 
doubted,  when  we  remark  who  it  is  that 
alludes  to  it  as  claiming  remark.  The  com- 
mencing verse  of  this  chapter  hinted  at 
that  singular  fact,  that  the  time  of  year 
when  undomesticated  animals  produce  their 
young,  is  always  that  most  suitable  for  their 
due  nourishment  j  had  the  most  trifling  de- 


158 

tails  of  this  kind  been  left  without  atten- 
tion in  the  due  ordering  of  a  stupendous 
universe,  what  confusion  must  have  arisen  ; 
but  even  "The  wild  goats  bring  forth  at 
an  appointed  time,"  that  the  herbage  scat- 
tered among  the  rocks  may  be  prepared  for 
them  at  the  fitting  season.  The  tiny  insect, 
whose  food  is  the  verdant  leaf,  lies  dormant 
till  that  leaf  expands  ;  the  bird  hatches  not 
its  nestlings  till  the  winter  is  past,  till  the 
rains  art  over  and  gone,  and  the  flowers 
appear  in  the  earth  ;  the  hinds  calve  when 
their  young  ones  may  grow  up  with  corn. 
Another  circumstance  is  then  noted,  that 
their  young  ones  (that  is  the  hinds,  wild 
goats,  &c.)  are  in  good  liking  ;  they  go 
forth  and  return  to  them  no  more.  The 
description  is  concise,  but  it  refers  to  a  cir- 
cumstance on  which  extended  observations 
might  be  made,  namely,  the  remarkable 
peculiarity,  that  man,  who,  considered 
merely  as  to  his  animal  nature,  is  assuredly 
the  noblest  and  most  perfect  of  earth's  chil- 
dren, should  be  inferior  to  the  meanest  of 
them,  as  to  early  capacity,  for  providing 
himself  with  the  necessaries  of  life.  Con- 
sidering him  as  a  creature  endowed  with 
mental  powers  and  an  immortal  soul,  this 
apparent  deficiency  is  subservient  to  his  best 


159 

interests — it  cements  the  parental  and  filial 
affections  by  lengthening  the  term  of  de- 
pendant feebleness,  on  the  one  side,  and  of 
assiduous  tenderness  on  the  other ;  and  it 
affords  time  and  opportunity  for  that  judici- 
ous and  Nigilant  culture,  which  it  is  the 
purpose  of  his  Creator  man  should  receive, 
and  which  when  duly  pursued  in  the  spirit 
of  obedience,  faith,  and  prayer,  he  has 
promised  to  bless  ;  so  that  though  his  in- 
fancy be  weak  and  unpromising,  his  latter 
end  may  be  peace,  and  his  resurrection 
glory.  Were  the  newly-weaned  child  cor- 
poreally strong  enough  to  "go  forth,"  (like 
the  offspring  of  other  creatures  at  a  similar 
period,)  and  return  to  his  parents'  roof  no 
more  ;  were  he  instinctively  able  like  them 
to  seek  and  procure  his  own  food,  how 
limited  must  have  been  the  progress  of  our 
race  in,  every  intellectual  and  religious  im- 
provement. Voluntary  submission  to  the 
restraints  of  education,  and  voluntary  en- 
deavours to  impose  them  by  continuing  the 
tuition  of  the  mind,  after  the  body  had 
attained  its  full  vigour,  would  scarcely  have 
been  yielded  or  attempted,  and  it  is  easy  to 
perceive  the  consequences  to  society,  to 
religion,  and  every  other  advantage  now 
blessing  the  generation  of  men,  which  would 


160 

have  ensued.  While  we  perceive,  therefore, 
how  by  this  httle-noticed  pecuHarity  of  our 
infantine  weakness,  the  goodness  of  God 
has  produced  most  important  and  widely 
ramified  effects  on  our  eternal  well-being,  let 
us  be  led  to  improve  the  presentconsideration 
of  it,  1st,  By  laying  up  as  an  axiom  for  our 
guidance  in  every  seeming  anomaly  in  crea- 
tion, that  whether  we  can  discern  them  or 
not,  the  reasons  of  it  are  founded  in  perfect 
foresight  and  consummate  sagacity,  and 
that  the  deeper  the  researches  of  Christian 
philosophy  into  the  works  and  ways  of 
Heaven,  the  more  will  they  reveal  of  Heav- 
enly  wisdom  and  benevolence.  2dly,  If  to 
afford  facility  for  instructing  the  youthful 
mind,  be  the  motive  of  God  in  making  the 
offspring  of  man  more  helpless  than  that 
of  any  other  race,  let  us  not  thwart  his 
gracious  purpose  by  wasting  that  precious 
seed-time  for  eternity.  For  creatures  des- 
tined oTily  for  this  life,  the  consumption  of 
many  years  in  education  would  be  dispro- 
portioned  to  their  whole  duration,  and 
accordingly  the  force  of  the  instincts  they 
require  is  exceedingly  increased ;  but  a 
being  formed  for  immortality  may  well  con- 
sider the  brief  period  of  his  earthly  span  at  its 
fullest  extension,  thoroughly  well  bestowed 


161 

on  the  great  object  of  obtaining  that  holi- 
ness, without  which  he  can  never  see  God, 
and  which  therefore  to  remain  unclothed 
with,  were  to  insure  unspeakable  misery  to 
himself  for  ever.  While  therefore  it  behoves 
parents  to  use  diligently  their  talent  of  in- 
fluence over  the  impressible  affections  of 
their  httle  ones,  we  may  all  find  it  beneficial 
to  remember,  that  our  heavenly  Father  is 
by  the  various  changes  that  happen  in  our 
temporal  state,  carrying  us  through  a  pro- 
cess of  instruction  and  refinement,  which 
however  mysterious  or  unnecessary  it  may 
now  seem,  will  assuredly  develope  itself  to 
our  ripened  faculties  in  all  its  deep  discretion. 
The  words  which  the  Lord  spake  to  Peter, 
"  What  I  do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but 
thou  shalt  know  hereafter,"  may  in  an  en- 
larged sense  be  applicable  to  every  believer. 
Let  us,  only  yield  ourselves  entirely  and 
submissively  to  the  means  appointed  for 
training  us  to  the  maturity  of  faith,  and  we 
shall  at  last  have  cause  to  rejoice  that  the 
discipline  of  our  spirits  for  a  higher  world 
was  longer  and  more  painful  than  our  own 
hearts  might  have  chosen.  Guided  by  the 
Lord's  counsel  here,  we  shall  hereafter  see 
Him,  not  through  a  glass  darkly,  but  face 
to  face,  and  know  even  as  we  are  knownv 
12 


162 

My  soul,  this  is  the  felicity  of  his  chosen. 
Rest  not  satisfied  till  thou  hast  a  good  hope 
that  thy  name  is  written  among  them. 

PRAYER. 

Thou,  oh  Lord  !  art  our  Father,  our  Re- 
deemer ;    from   everlasting  is   thy    name. 
May  thy  paternal  protection  and  teaching 
be  never  forfeited  by  the  backwardness  and 
obstinacy  of  my  behaviour  towards  thee. 
Thou  hast  made  every  thing  beautiful  in 
its  time  ;  all  thy  works  redound  to  thine 
honour.      My  soul  praiseth  thee,  oh  God  ! 
that  thou  hast  of  thy  free  goodness,  created 
me  with  powers  capable  of  receiving  some 
knowledge  of  thy  wisdom  and  goodness, 
although  thy  thoughts  surpass  my  highest 
thoughts,  as  the  heavens  are  high  above  the 
earth.  But  thou  hast  encouraged  mc  to  an- 
ticipate a  time   of  increased   capacity,   of 
purified  and  enlarged  faculties.      May  it  be 
my  delight  to  prepare  for  the  arrival  of  that 
blissful  period ;  and  by  docility,  under  all 
the   methods  by   which  thy   grace   would 
mould  my  character  for  a  hap[)y  eternity, 
may  I  be  proved  to  be  indeed  one  of  thy 
ransomed  people,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. — 
Amen. 


163 


"  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go ;   and 
tv'hen  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it." 

Proverbs  xxii.  6. 

Search  all  the  tribes  of  hving  things 
That  roam  the  woods  or  dive  the  main, 

Float  through  the  air  on  burnished  wings, 
Or  scale  the  rock,  or  crop  the  plain. 

Where  shall  investigating  skill 
Dependence  so  enduring  trace, 

Weakness  to  act,  and  strength  to  will, 
As  mark  our  planets  ruhng  race  ? 

Man  only,  views  returning  Spring, 
With  frequent  blossoms  deck  the  trees, 

While  he  himself  a  helpless  thing 
Is  dandled  on  a  parent's  knees. 

Man  only  (sovereign  though  he  be, 
By  Heaven's  deputed  rule  below) 

Successive  summer's  fruits  may  see. 
Ere  his  own  life  her  summer  know. 

And  why  does  Providence  prolong 
The  hours  of  feebleness  and  care? 

Why  is  not  man  at  once  a%  strong 
As  ail  inferior  creatures  are  ? 


164 

Is  there  no  cause  ?  when  thus  is  gained 
Time  for  tuition  and  control  ? 

Is  there  no  cause,  if  thus  be  trained 
For  heavenly  bliss,  the  human  soul? 

Where  instinct  guides,  sufficeth  well 
Protection  and  provision  kind, 

And  short,  though  potent,  is  the  spell 
Which  only  for  such  ends  doth  bind. 

But  Reason's  children,  nobler  made, 
A  culture  more  laborious  need. 

And  claim  a  Parent's  fostering  aid, 
For  higher  purpose,  richer  meed. 

Train  up  thy  child  as  he  should  go. 
Yea  train  him  in  "the"  glorious  "Way," 

The  only  path  from  sin  and  woe, 
The  only  path  to  endless  day. 

If  thou  thyself  that  pathway  tread 
Thou  knowest  well  its  narrow  gate, 

And  there  by  yearning  nature  led. 

Dost  for  thine  offspring  pleading  wait. 

"  And  if  they  enter,  shall  their  feet 
To  devious  paths  dechne  again  ?" 

Take  to  thine  heart  the  promise  sweet, 
And  hush  to  rest  thy  doubtings  vain. 


165 

"  Train  np  a  child  where  he  should  go," 
He  may  fall  down,  may  swerve,  may 
start, 

But  this  saith  He,  who  best  can  know, 
"  Thence  will  he  not  when  old  depart." 


MEDITATION  XXIII. 

"  My  little  children,  of  whom  I  travail  in  birth  un- 
til Christ  be  formed  in  you." — Galatians  iv.  19. 

What  fervent  love  must  that  have  been 
which  chose  for  its  expression  this  energetic 
metaphor.  What  a  picture  does  it  set  be- 
fore us  of  Christian  intercession  in  its  aim, 
and  in  its  fervency.  But  not  only  for  ad- 
miration and  applause,  is  it  here  recorded  : 
as  a  guide  for  our  own  meditation  and  self- 
examination,  it  is  calculated  to  be  very  use- 
ful ;  as  such  would  I  now  employ  it.  Do  I 
not  profess  to  be  a  servant  of  the  same  Lord, 
to  whose  glory  Paul  devoted  himself?  Do 
I  not  profess  to  derive  vitality  from  the  same 
Spirit  of  holiness,  which  kindled  his  heart 
into  a  glow  of  sympathizing  philanthropy, 
{ind  made  him   become  all  things  to  all 


166 

men,"  that  by  any  means  he  might  win 
some;  which  made  him  willing  to  spend 
and  be  spent  in  the  service  of  Christ ;  which 
made  him  zealous  in  never-ceasing  prayers 
and  exertions  to  spread  through  the  whole 
earth  the  blessed  gospel  of  salvation,  and  to 
persuade  those  who  nominally  accepted  it, 
to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  their  Saviour 
in  all  things.  But  if  this  be  so,  if  I  am  in- 
deed purchased  by  the  same  redeeming 
blood,  and  looking  for  the  same  glorious 
immortality,  and  sealed  by  the  same  Spirit, 
which  thus  worked  mightily  in  Saul  of  Tar- 
sus, and  transformed  him  by  the  renewing 
of  his  mind,  do  my  feelings  at  all  corres- 
pond in  their  object  or  their  intensity  with 
those  which  influenced  him  to  use  the  lan- 
guage before  me  ? 

The  Apostle  calls  the  Galatians,  to  whom 
he  writes,  "  my  little  children,  of  whom  I 
travail  in  birth  again."  Thus  intimating 
that  they  were  already,  to  all  appearance, 
Christians,  and  that  his  former  supplications 
and  labours  on  their  behalf  had  been  heard 
and  blessed  ;  but  does  he  therefore  consider 
his  work  done,  and  his  continued  pleadings 
superfluous?  or  should  we  deem  it  enough 
when  we  see  our  children,  our  friends,  or 
our  relatives,  embracing  the  cause  of  piety, 


167 

and  avowing  themselves  to  be  on  the  Lord's 
side  ?  Should  we  thenceforth  relax  in  the 
fervour  of  our  petitions  for  them,  resting 
satisfied  that  they  are  safe^  and  further 
intercession  unnecessary?  So  did  not  Paul : 
Like  him,  let  us  rather  redouble  than  remit 
them.  Let  us  be  instant  in  seeking  for 
them  the  perfecting  of  that  good  work  which 
we  hope  to  be  already  commenced.  Let  us 
further  that  work  by  every  counsel,  every 
aid,  in  our  power.  Let  us  not  faint,  nor  be 
weary  of  interceding,  that  their  whole  mind 
may  be  brought  into  such  conformity  to 
Christ,  that  he  may  truly  be  said  to  be 
*'  formed  "  in  them. 

We  are  more  easily  awakened  to  anxiety 
for  the  conversion  of  those  we  love,  than 
upheld  in  a  steady  course  of  solicitous  efforts 
for  their  progress  and  improvement  after 
it.  '  Yet  such  efforts  are  surely  implied  in 
the  Apostle's  parental  address,  and  that  they 
should  increase,  not  diminish,  in  vigour  as 
the  blessing  to  be  attained  approaches  nearer 
to  our  possession.  It  is  often  difficult  for 
hearts  prone  to  unbelief  as  ours  are,  to 
hope  on  even  against  hope,  to  view  things 
ahoays  through  the  cheering  medium  of  the 
promises,  and  so,  to  pursue  perseveringly 
our  way  of  exertion,  though  nothing  but  dis- 


1.68 

couragement  appear  to  follow  our  endea- 
vours. We  know  that  this  is  our  duty,  but 
it  is  one  against  which  the  "Anakim"  of 
the  land  muster  in  stoutest  opposition  ;  but 
what  an  earnest  of  good  things  to  come,  is 
the  first  tear  of  unfeigned  humihation,  the 
very  first  tottering  step  that  decidedly  turns 
towards  the  cross.  When  we  remember 
who  it  is  that  worketh  in  the  regenerate, 
both  to  will  and  to  do,  what  encouragement 
ought  we  to  derive  in  helping  them  forward 
with  our  prayers,  who  have  apparently  the 
the  work  of  grace  proceeding  upon  them. 
"This  is  to  be  honoured  indeed ;  to  be  fellow- 
workers  with  the  Lord  our  Saviour,  who  not 
only  engrafts  the  branches  into  Himself,  the 
true  vine,  but  so  deals  with  them  as  to  in- 
crease their  fertility.  And  surely  the  Apostle 
felt  this  encouraging  incitement,  or  he  would 
not  have  said  so  confidently,  "  Until  Christ 
be  formed  in  you."  Had  the  result  of  his 
petitions-  and  exhortations  been  doubtful, 
he  would  have  said,  in  hopes,  or  to  the  end 
that  this  may  be  ;  but  until !  until !  There 
is  no  dubiousness  here.  It  is  just  the  pros- 
ecution of  appointed  means  for  an  assured 
end,  and  evinces  the  same  principle,  which 
on  a  memorable  occasion  prompted  the 
writer,  though  supernaturally  convinced  of 


169 

final  safety  from  shipwreck,  to  urge  the 
means  of  preservation  as  indispensable. 

Another  thing  to  be  noticed  in  this  verse 
is  the  impUed  fact,  that  the  formation  of 
the  Christian  character  is  a  secret  internal 
work  ;  that  it  needs  another  agent  than  him 
who  is  to  evidence  its  operation  by  the  tenor 
of  his  conduct;  that  the  assistance  of  this 
all-sufficient  Agent  is  to  be  implored  and 
received  by  addressing  the  throne  of  grace, 
and  that  the  standard  of  perfection,  the  full 
measure  of  stature  to  which  the  Christian 
must  be  always  aspiring,  is  nothing  less, 
than  as  his  Saviour  was,  so  to  be  himself  in 
this  world.  Vain  and  fallacious  is  every 
criterion  as  to  a  really  saving  union  with 
Christ,  which  embraces  not  unreserved  sub- 
mission to  the  continual  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  dwelHng  in  the  soul,  as  in  a 
temple,  and  producing  likeness  to  Him, 
with  whom  it  claims  membership,  fellow- 
ship and  everlasting  heritage.  Tried  by 
this  criterion,  if  we  are  deficient,  our  own 
prayers  must  not  indeed  be  wanting  to 
attain  a  state  of  more  security;  but  we  may 
also  well  ask  the  prayers  of  the  Lord's  de- 
voted people,  and  most  especially  should 
we  entreat  those  who  are  set  over  us  in  the 
ministry,  that  they  would  earnestly  plead 


170 

with  the  Lord, — in  the  expressive  language 
of  the  Prophet, — that  they  would  give  him 
no  rest,  till  Christ  be  formed  in  us,  till  He 
make  us  with  his  chosen  Jerusalem,  a  name 
and  a  praise  in  the  earth.  Nor  can  we 
cultivate  too  carefully  that  spirit  of  holy 
charity  which  feels  deeply  for  the  spiritual 
state  of  others,  which  "  hopeth  all  things," 
and  rejoiceth  in  the  truth,  where  even  a 
dawning  of  its  triumphant  day  can  be  dis- 
cerned, and  which  labours  strenuously, 
though  silently  and  unostentatiously,  by 
supplications  unceasing,  to  obtain  increase 
of  the  church,  and  to  contribute  to  its  edifi- 
cation. 

Could  we  but  duly  regard  the  value  of 
that  which  is  to  endure  for  ever, — could  we 
weigh  souls  after  the  shekel  of  the  sanc- 
tuary ;  could  we  estimate  as  He  estimated 
them,  who  agonized  in  prayer  for  their 
eternal  salvation,  till  "his  sweat  was  as  it 
were  great  drops  of  blood,  falling  down  to 
the  ground"  with  the  vehemence  of  that 
inward  conflict, — oh !  how  should  we  be 
ashamed  of  our  apathy  in  suffering  sin 
upon  our  brethren,  in  omitting  any  thing 
which  may  save  them  from  perishing  for 
whom  Christ  died,  in  being  indifferent  to 
the  growth  in  grace  of  those  for  whom 


171 

Paul,  were  he  now  living,  would  be  fervent 
in  prayer  night  and  day ! 

The  answer  of  assent  to  all  this  is  on  our 
lips,  may  it  sound  deep  into  our  consciences, 
and  animate  our  affections  into  such  zeal, 
as  through  Divine  grace  may  prove  inde- 
fatigable for  promoting  the  enlargement, 
the  purity  and  the  peace,  of  our  spiritual 
Zion.  "  They  that  be  w  ise  shall  shine  as 
the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  they 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the 
stars  for  ever  and  ever." 

PRAYER. 

Oh  ever  glorious  King  of  Zion  !  unite  me 
to  thyself  in  the  bonds  of  thy  everlasting 
covenant,  and  to  thy  people  in  the  bonds  of 
love  and  holy  communion.  Give  me  occa- 
sion, to  thank  thee  for  the  triumphs  of  thy 
grace,  in  making  known  by  me  the  excel- 
lency of  thy  knowledge  in  every  place.  But 
especially  draw  forth  my  heart  in  much  sin- 
cerity of  desire  for  those  who  are  nearest 
and  dearest  to  me  after  the  flesh,  and  for 
those  with  whom  I  am  connected  in  the  in- 
timacy of  Christian  fellowship.  Give  me  an 
abiding  interest  in  their  prayers,  and  an  ever 
widening  solicitude  for  thy  glory  in  the  con- 


172 

version  of  sinners.  Oh  Lord!  send  forth 
labourers  into  thine  harvest,  strengthened 
by  thine  own  hand  in  the  great  and  honour- 
able task  of  preparing  souls  for  thy  everlast- 
ing kingdom,  and  may  they  never  remit 
their  exertions,  while  there  remains  the  least 
glimmering  of  hope,  that  Christ  may  yet  be 
formed  in  them,  and  become  in  them  the 
hope  of  glory.  Lift  up  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
tenance, oh  gracious  Lord !  upon  me,  and 
upon  all  who  truly  seek  thee.  Accept  us 
mercifully  through  the  meritorious  sacrifice 
of  the  cross,  and  to  God  the  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Spirit,  be  honour  and  praise  for 
ever  and  ever. — Amen. 


"  He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  shall 
be  satisfied  :"—/sajo/2  liii.  11. 

"  Who  for  the  joy  that  was  set  hefore  Him,  endured 
the  cross,  despising  the  shame." — Hebrews  xii.  2. 


The  bark  has  struck  upon  the  reef, 
The  surge  is  mountain  high. 

Who  ventures  forth  to  their  relief? 
Shall  he  not  surely  die  ? 


173 

Oh  should  they  gain  the  rescuing  strand, 
That  Hfe-boat  and  her  crew, 

And  one  by  one  in  safety  land, 
And  their  Deliverer  too, 

Who  would  not  read  within  that  heart. 

So  nobly  self-denied, 
Engraven  on  its  liveliest  part, 

"  Now  am  I  satisfied !" 

The  fruit  of  peril  must  be  dear, 
This  well  the  Mother  knows, 

When  falls  the  calm  delightful  tear 
That  terminates  her  throes. 

But  how  may  human  emblem  suit. 

Or  human  tongue  repeat, 
The  Saviour's  anguish !  or  its  fruit 

Ineffably  complete  ? 

Full  in  his  knowledge  was  the  weight 

Impending  over  man, 
Yea,  all  the  horrors  of  a  state 

Of  everlasting  ban. 

Full  in  his  knowledge  was  the  weight, 

Of  blessing  for  the  pure. 
And  all  the  glories  of  a  state, 

Whose  joys  for  ever  dure. 


174 

And  love  was  stronger  than  the  grave, 

And  deeper  than  our  loss ; 
It  bufFetted  Temptation's  wave, 

It  triumphed  o'er  the  cross ; — 

It  drained  the  darkest,  bitterest  draught, 
That  Wrath  for  sin  could  pour, 

Defeated  all  the  Serpent's  craft, 
And  opened  Heaven's  door; — 

It  toiled,  it  suffered,  it  obeyed, 
And  who  the  joy  shall  mete, 

When  "it  is  finish'd,"  Jesus  said, 
And  saw  his  work  complete! 

This  was  the  travail  of  thy  soul, 

Oh  Son  ofGod  Most  High! 
Thy  ransom'd  church,  while  ages  roil, 

Was  all  within  thine  eye. 

Yes  for  this  joy  thou  didst  despise 
All  suffering  and  all  shame  : 

Oh  give  us  grace,  and  make  us  wise, 
For  thee  to  do  the  same. 


175 


MEDITATION  XXIV. 

"  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least 
of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  clone  it  unto  me." 
St.  Matthew  xxv.  40. 

It  cannot  be  too  often  dwelt  upon,  that  the 
motive  and  not  the  manner  of  our  perform- 
ances designates  them  as  really  good  or  bad 
in  the  sight  of  God.  Worldly  men,  like 
Herod,  do  "  many  things,"  which,  towards 
society,  have  much  in  them  that  is  good, 
pleasing,  and  advantageous,— much  that 
passes  current  as  kind,  disinterested,  valu- 
able ;  but  do  we  examine  for  the  deeply 
engraved  stamp  of  the  genuine  gold,  the 
royal  mark  which  distinguishes  the  pure 
metal  from  the  dross  and  from  the  counter- 
feit, where  it  is  to  be  found,  and  what  is  it? 
It  is  good  to  feed  the  hungry,  and  to  clothe 
the  naked,  says  one,  and  am  I  not  a  mem- 
ber of  a  benevolent  society  which  does  both, 
which  gives  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  rai- 
ment to  the  destitute?  It  is  good  to  minister 
to  the  aged  and  to  the  sick,  says  another, 
and  do  I  not  subscribe  to  this  hospital,  or  to 
that  infirmary,  which  provides  efficiently  for 


176 

these  purposes  ?  It  is  good  to  instruct  the 
ignorant  and  evangelize  the  world,  says  a 
third,  and  towards  distributing  Bibles  or 
supporting  missionaries,  I  am  ever  ready 
liberally  to  contribute. 

One  comprehensive  answer  includes  every 
variety  of  such  cases.  When  you  aid  those 
whom  Jesus  condescends  to  call  hia 
brethren,  do  you  do  so,  because  they  are 
such? 

If  full  of  affection  to  your  great  Redeemer, 
you  look  round  and  say,  what  shall  I  render 
in  proof  of  my  gratitude ;  and  your  memory 
recalls  his  words,  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my 
commandments," — "  a  new  commandment 
give  I  unto  you,  that  ye  love  one  another," 
and  so  having  nothing  else  to  confer,  your 
go  forth,  even  with  the  cup  of  cold  water, 
to  refresh  his  meanest  member,  you  shall 
in  no  wise  lose  the  blessing  and  the  reward, 
— that  blessing  and  that  reward  which  will 
assuredly  be  most  dear  to  you,  of  hearing 
from  his  own  lips  the  acknowledgment, 
"  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  unto  the  least  of 
these  my  brethren,  ye  did  it  unto  me."  But 
if  God  be  not  at  all  in  our  contemplation- 
when  we  do  actions  beneficial  to  man,  from' 
man  alone  must  we  look  for  their  recom- 
pence.    Let  the  thanks  of  the  receiver,  or 


177 

the  praise  of  the  beholder,  crown  with  sati^ 
faction  the  merely  compassionate  or  the 
merely  liberal ;  but  let  the  Christian  seek 
his  Father,  which  seeth  in  secret,  and  say, 
accept,  oh  Lord,  the  feeble  endeavours  of  a 
wiUing  mind,  receive  this  labour  of  love  as 
a  token  of  obedience  and  gratitude,  and 
help  me  to  perform  it  as  unto  thyself. 

But  we  are  sometimes  apt  to  forget,  that 
if  the  love  of  Christ  constrains  us  for  his  sake 
to  view  with  tender  pity  every  distressed 
fellow  creature,  however  slight  may  be  our 
acquaintance  or  connection  with  them,  as 
all  bearing  that  form,  wherein  the  Son  of 
God  thought  it  net  below  his  dignity  to 
inhabit ;  it  is  no  less  the  love  of  Christ,  not 
any  inferior  excitement,  which  must  prompt 
and  consecrate  our  services  towards  those 
with  Vshom  the  ties  of  kindred  and  of  friend- 
ship bring  us  closely  into  contact. 

Are  we  called  to  the  momentous  task  of 
educating  for  eternity  a  being  dear  to  us 
as  the  breath  of  our  own  life,  and  the  light 
of  heaven  ?  That  being  is  yet  dearer  to 
the  Lord,  who  bought  it,  not  with  silver  or 
gold,  but  by  his  own  unblemished  oblatioa 
of  himself.  Nurture  it  then  as  you  would 
a  child  of  God.  Give  it  up  to  him  as  not 
yours  only  but  his ;  receive  it  back  as  the 
13 


178 

Hebrew  mother  did  her  rescued  Moses,  to 
nurse  it  in  his  way?.  Like  Peter  obey  your 
Lord's  injunction  to  feed  his  lambs,  and 
like  Peter  obtain  confidence  to  regard  both 
it.  and  yourself  as  partakers  of  the  glory 
that  shall  be  revealed. 

It  is  delightful  to  fulfil  relative  duties  in 
Christ,  and  for  Christ,  instead  of  finding 
them  snares  and  hindrances,  (as  it  too  often 
the  case,)  by  setting  out  upon  them  with 
unfixed  principles,  or  deficient  views  of 
duty.  "  Whether  ye  eat  or  drink,  or 
whatsoever  ye  do.  do  all  to  the  glory  of 
God,"  is  a  command  which  well  explains 
how  piety  does  not  withdraw  us  from  need- 
ful occupations  and  refreshments,  but  sets 
us  rather  to  watch  over  their  nature,  degree, 
and  peculiar  influence  on  our  own  disposi- 
tions. If  they  neither  infringe  the  law  of 
love  to  God  and  man,  by  their  natural  ten- 
dency, -their  abuse,  or  their  excess,  they 
may  be  presented  to  Him  as  part  of  our 
cheerful  obedience,  and  they  will  be  ac- 
cepted, and  through  Christ  sanctified. 

And  if  it  should  be  thus  with  our  very 
meals  and  recreations,  how  much  more  with 
our  almsgiving,  our  exhortations,  our  teach- 
ings. When  we  give,  or  when  we  speak, 
could  we  always  but  keep  in  view,  that  it 


179 

is  a  fellow-member  of  that  body  to  which 
unmerited  mercy  alone  has  united  ks,  whom 
we  relieve,  or  whom  we  advise,  or  over 
whose  tender  infancy  we  carefully  watch, 
would  not  a  richer  unction  of  affectionate 
sympathy  pervade  our  free-will  offerings, 
and  a  holier  dedication  mark  our  daily  em- 
ployments? May  it  be  thus  with  us  hence- 
forth, that  God  in  all  things  may  be  glorified 
through  Jesus  Christ. 

PRAYER. 

Be  not  far  from  me,  oh  Lord  my  God, 
in  any  thing  that  I  do.  In  all  that  1  plan, 
and  in  all  that  I  undertake  ;  when  I  rise 
up  and  when  I  lie  down  ;  when  1  go  forth 
and  when  I  return  ;  when  I  speak  and  when 
1  hear ;  when  I  read  thy  Word,  or  when 
I  sin'g  thy  praise,  enable  me  still  to  choose 
the  good,  and  refuse  the  evil.  Let  me  ever 
bear  in  mind,  that  though  living  in  the 
world  as  a  scene  of  duty  and  trial,  I  must 
not  be  conformed  to  its  spirit,  nor  bhnd  to 
its  vices.  Oh  Lord,  help  me  to  be  ever 
proving  what  is  thy  good  and  acceptable 
and  perfect  will,  and  with  firm  reliance  on 
the  immutable  truth  of  thy  promises,  may 
I  follow  the  way  of  thy  commandments, 


ISO 

looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesua 
Christ  unto  eternal  Hfe.  For  his  sake, 
Eternal  Father,  hear  and  pardon  my  imper- 
fect prayers. — Amen. 


''  A  child  left  to  himself  bringeth  his  mother  to 
Bhame." — Proverbs  xxix.  15. 

"  Yet  now  hear,  O  Jacob  ni}^  servant ;  and  Israel, 
whom  I  have  chosen  :  Thus  saitii  the  Lord  that  mado 
Ihee,  and  formed  thee  from  the  womb,  which  will 
help  thee  ;  Fear  not,  O  Jacob,  my  servant ;  and  thou, 
Jesurun,  whom  I  have  chosen.  For  I  will  pour 
water  Jupon  him  that  is  thirsty,  and  floods  upon 
the  dry  ground:  I  will  pour  my  Spirit  upon  thy 
eeed,  and  my  blessing  upon  thine  offspring  :  And 
they  sliall  spring  up  as  among  the  grass,  as  willows 
by  the  water-courses.  One  shall  say,  I  am  the 
Lord's  ;  and  another  shall  call  himfelf  by  the  name 
of  Jacob  ;  and  another  shall  subscribe  with  his  hand 
unto  the  Lord,  and  surname  himself  by  th®  name  of 
Israel. — Isaiah  xliv.  1 — 5. 

A  mother  !  oh  the  sacred  trust 

Confided  in  that  tender  name, 
To  rear  and  sway,  with  guidance  just, 

The  dedicated  of  the  Lord  ! 

To  stamp  the  ductile  mind  of  youth 
With  lessons  time  shall  ne'er  efface. 

With  reverence  for  Eternal  Truth, 
With  longings  for  refining  grace  j 


181 

To  watch,  to  warn,  to  check,  to  teach, 
To  point  the  path  and  cheer  the  way, 

Enforcing  by  affection's  speech, 

What  wisdom  else  might  vainly  say  ; 

Who  is  sufficient  for  the  task  ? 

Who  trembles  not  the  task  is  theirs. 
Which  doth  imperatively  ask, 

Such  anxious  unremitting  cares  ? 

Who  is  sufficient !  not  indeed 
The  frail,  unaided,  fleshly  arm  ; 

But  Faith  hath  stores  for  every  need, 
And  cordials  for  each  new  alarm. 

"  Fear  oot  Jesurun,"  saith  the  Lord, 
"  My  chosen  servants,  fear  not  you, 

My  Sp'irit  on  your  seed  is  poured. 
My  blessing  on  your  offspring  too." 

They  shall  spring  up  among  the  grass, 
The  church's  ever  verdant  field. 

Where  crystal  flowing  waters  pass. 

Where  healing  herbs  their  fragrance  yield. 

As  willows  by  the  water  course. 
Their  pHant  boughs  luxuriant  bend, 

So  drawn  by  Love's  constraining  force. 
Their  hea^-ts  shall  seek  the  sinner's  friend. 


182 

"  I  am  the  Lord's,  those  hearts  shall  say, 
Emmanuel's,  by  recorded  vow  ; 

Like  Jacob,  to  their  God  they'll  pray. 
Like  Israel  to  Jehovah  bow." 

What  gracious  words,  what  prospects  fair ! 

Is  He  not  mighty  to  fulfil  ? 
Plead  them,  my  soul,  in  faithful  prayer, 

He  can  perform  them,  and  He  will. 


MEDITATION  XXV. 

"  Lord,  in  trouble  have  they  visited  tliee ;  they 
poured  out  a  prayer  when  thy  chastening  was  upon 
them." — Isaiah  xxvi.  16. 

There  are  few  men  living  to  whom  these 
words  might  not  with  truth  be  applied  :  so 
natural  is  it  to  a  dependant,  powerless  being 
to  look  out  of  himself  for  help  in  the  hour 
of  extreme  distress.  Like  the  mariners 
whom  Jonah  accompanied,  when  men  are 
afraid,  each  one  cries  unto  his  God.  "  In 
their  distress  they  did  seek  him  early  ;"  but, 
alas !  this  is  all  too  often  in  the  spirit  of 
selfishness  unmixed.    Love  to  themselves. 


183 

and  the  dread  of  continued  suffering,  alone 
influence  lliem,  and  not  the  feehng  of  ren- 
dering honour  to  Him  whose  sovereignty 
they  yet  virtually  acknowledge,  and  whose 
succour  they  implore  ;  and  because  they 
have  thus  "  no  root,"  is  it  wonderful  that 
their  piety  should  be  evanescent  as  the  ter- 
rors which  awaken  it. 

But  is  not  the  dread  of  approaching 
punishment,  or  the  apprehension  of  imme- 
diate death,  in  any  case  salutary?  Are  they 
that  exhort  henceforth  to  dismiss  from  their 
quiver  the  terrors  of  the  Lord  as  ineffica- 
cious for  producing  true  conversion  ?  Are 
they  that  tremble,  because  the  great  and 
dreadful  God,  holding  in  his  hand  the  issues 
of  life  and  death,  is  dealing  with  them  in 
apparent  wrath,  who  are  deeply  bowed 
down  in  awe  before  the  displays  of  his 
retributive  justice  towards  the  de?pisers  of 
his  forbearance  and  long-suflfering, — are 
they  to  be  told  that  fears  thus  excited  are 
vain,  and  lead  only  to  delusion, — that  to  be 
dismayed  under  affliction  by  the  reproaches 
of  conscience,  or  to  shrink  I'rom  the  ven- 
geance which  our  sins  have  incurred,  is  "  to 
be  in  bondage," — that  repentance  so  pro- 
duced is  in  all  cases  unsound  and  unaccept- 
able, and  will  prove  merely  transitory  1 


184 

The  Scriptures  arc  remote  from  such  con- 
clusions ;  they  inform  us,  that  when  the 
Lord's  judgments  are  in  the  earth,  the  in- 
habitants thereof  will  learn  righteousness  ; 
they  command  us  to  serve  God  with  rever- 
ence and  godly  fear,  for  "  our  God  is  a  con- 
suming fire  ;"  and  they  continually  intimate 
that  he  heareth  the  groaning  of  the  misera- 
ble, and  is  very  gracious,  even  to  the  most 
wretched,  when  they  cry  to  him  in  their 
destitution  and  despair,  seeking  comfort 
only  from  his  mercy  and  goodness  towards 
them.  They  ever  intimate  to  us,  that  the 
most  awful  of  all  human  conditions  is  that 
which  is  denoted  by  insensibility  under 
God's  uplifted  scourge ;  by  "  refusing  to 
receive  correction," — "  Why  should  ye  be 
amitten  any  more  ?  Ye  will  revolt  more 
and  more."  Never  was  surely  a  more  aw- 
ful denunciation  !  The  prediction  of  any 
calamity,  however  sweeping  on  the  nation, 
however 'agonizing  on  the  individual,  which 
the  Prophet  could  have  put  forth,  would 
have  been  light  compared  to  it ! 

What  is  it,  then,  which  makes  a  differ- 
ence between  the  mere  cry  of  terror,  and 
the  out-breathings  of  a  spirit  humiliated  by 
anguish  into  sentiments  of  profound  godly 
sorrow,  and  poured  forth  in  earnest  peti- 


185 

tiong  for  relief  and  protection  from  an  omni- 
potent Jehovah?  Great  is  the  difference, 
essential  the  distinction  in  every  way,  in 
their  object,  their  nature,  their  effects. 
Much  might  be  said  on  all  of  these ;  but 
at  present  it  may  be  as  well  to  confine  our- 
selves to  the  last  mentioned.  It  is  a  safe 
and  easy,  as  it  is  also  an  authorized  test, 
"  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them,"  let 
repentance  be  tried  by  it,  and  it  will  readily 
appear  which  are  real  and  which  spurious 
of  its  apparent  symptoms.  That  fear  must 
be  insufficient  which  is  unaccompanied  by 
love ;  and  where  love  is  not,  there  is  not 
the  fulfilling  of  God's  law.  Should  we 
observe  an  unwonted  frown  on  the  coun- 
tenance of  an  earthly  benefactor,  and  be 
sensible  of  an  alteration  in  the  exercises  of 
his  benignity,  our  first  inquiry  would  be, 
what  can  possibly  have  induced  so  kind  a 
friend  to  act  on  this  occasion  with  seeming 
severity  ?  How  have  I  oflTended  him  ?  and 
if  we  could  trace  the  cause  to  some  negli- 
gence or  ingratitude  of  our  own,  would  not 
the  only  probable  course  towards  reconcili- 
ation be  an  altered  behaviour  on  our  part? 

Thus  the  alarms  arising  under  danger 
from  a  sense  of  guilt,  if  produced  in  us  by 
God's  saving  grace,  will  neither  subside  nor 


186 

terminate  in  mere  confessions  and  depreca- 
tions. They  trouble  not  the  smooth  waters 
of  life  without  also  healing  him  whose  dis- 
eased frame  is  exposed  to  their  influence, 
and  bringing  him  forth  "a  new  creature," 
devoted  in  heart  and  mind  to  his  heavenly 
Physican  ;  whereas  the  sorrows  of  the  world 
worketh  death, — every  fresh  trial,  unim- 
proved in  the  right  way,  hardening  the  heart, 
and  lessening  its  ability  to  turn  unto  Him 
that  smiteth.  Oh  of  what  importance  is  it, 
then,  to  see  that  afflictions  be  indeed  of 
abiding  benefit,  and  to  bear  forth  with  us 
into  the  business  and  the  allurements  of 
life,  those  prospects  which,  under  the  press- 
ure of  sickness  or  of  peril,  caused  us  to  cry 
out,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner !" 
The  recollection  of  danger  escaped  can 
never  avail  us,  unless  the  renewal  of  danger 
be  guarded  against.  Not  only  while  in  suf- 
fering or  in  fear,  but  at  all  times,  in  all 
places,  "Lord  save  us  or  we  perish,"  must 
be  our  heartfelt  prayer.  Oh  may  He  enable 
us,  by  our  spiritual  thank-oflerings  and  du- 
tiful conduct  through  life,  to  pay  him  ac- 
ceptably those  vows  which  we  may  have 
made  in  the  time  of  trouble. 


187 
PRAYER. 

Oh  Almighty  Lord  God,  thou  hast  not 
dealt  with  me  after  my  sins,  neither  reward- 
ed me  after  my  iniquities :  Thou  hast  stayed 
thy  rough  wind  in  the  day  of  thy  east  wind, 
in  thy  wrath  remembering  mercy  :  Thou 
hast  debated  with  me  in  measure,  and  hast 
kept  back  my  soul  from  the  pit,  and  my  life 
from  perishing,  when  thou  didst  see  fit  to 
exercise  me  with  pain  upon  my  bed,  and  the 
multitude  of  my  bones  with  strong  pain.  Oh 
continue  forth  thy  loving  kindness  and  thy 
truth  unto  thy  servant,  and  establish  me  so 
firmly  on  the  Rock  of  Salvation,  that  I  may 
never  be  removed.  Through  the  provided 
ransom,  may  my  soul,  not  only  be  delivered 
from  the  curse  of  thy  just  anger,  but  reno- 
vated, day  by  day,  and  preserved  in  holiness 
to  the  glory  of  thy  grace  in  Christ  Jesus, 
our  Lord  and  Mediator. — Amen. 


"  And  Jesus  answering,  said,  Were  there  not  ten 
cleansed  1  but  where  are  the  nine  1" 

St.  Luks  XYil.  17, 


A  time  of  deep  distress 
Impels  us.  Lord,  to  thee: 

We  feel  our  utter  feebleness. 
And  to  thy  greataesa  flaet 


188 

But  freedom  from  alarm, 

A  brightly  shining  sky, 
Life's  current  flowing  clear  and  calm, 

A  thousand  comforts  nigh, 

These  form  a  state  of  peace. 

And  well  we  might  suppose. 
Such  gifts  would  heav'nward  love  increase, 

Far  more  than  torturing  M'oes. 

Yet,  ah  ye  sons  of  men  ! 

Cold  and  ungrateful  race, 
Nine  lepers  thankless  out  often 

Best  parallels  your  case. 

Deceitful  as  the  brook 

Dried  by  the  summer's  sun, 
*Twere  often  vain  in  health  to  look, 

For  what  Affliction  won. 

The  vows  in  trouble  breathed, 

Engraved  on  brass  may  seem, 
Yet  prove,  when  trouble's  sword  is  sheathed, 

Writ  on  the  faithless  stream ! 

Oh  !  thou  preserving  God, 

Whose  mercy  led  me  through 
The  strokes  of  thy  paternal  rod, 

For  sin  so  justly  due, 


189 

Still  more  thy  grace  I  need 

To  guard  my  treacherous  heart, 

From  pain  and  sickness  when  I'm  freed, 
Than  while  beneath  their  smart. 

A  thousand,  thousand  snares, 

As  ease  and  health  return. 
Alluring  joys,  absorbing  cares, 

My  spirit  can  discern. 

Lord  Jesus  !  let  thy  prayer 

In  my  behalf  prevail, 
Where'er  I  am,  be  Thou  but  there, 

And  faith  shall  never  fail. 


'       MEDITATION  XXVI. 

"  WTiat  mean  je  by  these  stonea.'"— Joshua  iv.  6. 

In  all  nations  the  custom  has  prevailed  of 
preserving  to  future  generations,  by  monu- 
ments and  observances,  a  lively  impression 
of  their  forefathers'  historical  annals,  and  in 
the  early  times  of  the  world,  even  individual 
contracts  were  concluded  by  the  joint  erec- 


190 

tion  of  a  "  pillar  of  witness,"  which  should 
serve  to  remind  each  party  of  the  solemn 
ratification  of  their  mutual  promises  made, 
as  it  were,  in  its  presence.  The  Israelites 
were  a  nation  so  nurtured  in  marvels  from 
their  first  existence  as  a  distinct  people,  that 
they  seem,  (like  many  in  our  own  day  who 
behold,  with  careless  eyes,  the  daily  mira- 
cles of  creation  and  providence,)  to  have 
forgotten  that  there  a^  as  any  thing  remark- 
able in  the  dealings  of  God  M'ith  them,  and 
to  have  become  callous  to  their  special  mer- 
cies. Though  their  bread  was  rained  from 
heaven,  and  water  flowed  from  the  rock  to 
refresh  their  fainting  bodies,  those  miracu- 
lous supplies  were  received  with  the  same 
indifference,  which  too  often  characterizes 
the  professed  followers  of  Jesus,  before 
whom  the  nourishing  truths  of  the  Gospel 
are  spread,  till  they  become  scarcely  con- 
scious of  the  inestimable  privilege  thus  en- 
joyed. 

But  the  merciful  and  gracious  God  inflicted 
not  on  Israel  the  extermination  their  provo- 
cations merited.  He  permitted  Moses,  as 
a  type  of  the  one  Mediator,  Jesus,  to  plead 
successfully  for  their  continued  national 
existence ;  by  new  wonders  and  new  bene- 
fits He  "  wrought  with  them  for  his  name's 


191 

sake,"  exemplifying  to  all  creatures  that 
long-suffering  patience  of  his,  by  which 
alone  his  church  reaches  Canaan  in  safety 
under  the  guidance  of  their  spiritual  Joshua, 
and  prepared  them  after  their  long  wander- 
ing in  the  wilderness,  for  a  triumphant  en- 
trance into  the  land  he  had  promised  them 
for  an  inheritance. 

To  shew  that  notwithstanding  past  for- 
feitures of  his  favour,  He  was  still  to  tliem 
a  God  of  blessing  and  of  grace,  and  as  if 
by  renewing  in  their  memories  the  transac- 
tions of  the  Red  Sea,  to  give  proof  of  his 
being  still  pledged  to  put  them  in  possession 
of  that  Canaan  for  which  they  quitted 
Egypt,  he  divided  the  waters  of  Jordan, 
and  made  them  to  pass  through  the  midst 
of  it,  and  while  the  miracle  was  yet  in  pro- 
gress, provided  a  memorial  of  it  for  their 
successive  descendants,  by  erecting  in  the 
centre  of  the  river,  where  the  feet  of  the 
priests  had  stood,  and  on  the  banks,  so 
miraculously  reached,  massive  stones  taken 
from  its  then  uncovered  bed. 

When  a  mighty  deliverance  of  Israel  from 
the  oppressing  Philistines  took  place  some 
centuries  after,  "Samuel  took  a  stone,"* 
and  giving  it  an  appropriate  title,  Ebenezer, 

1  Sani.  vii.  12. 


192 

or  the  stone  of  help,  set  before  the  observa- 
tion of  all  future  inquirers,  as  to  its  remark- 
able position,  the  important  truth  that  the 
battle  is  the  Lord's,  that  He  ruleth  in  the 
generations  of  men,  that  he  hath  not  said  in 
vain  unto  his  faithful  ones,  '*  Seek  ye  my 
face,"  but  that  instead  of  continually  fear- 
ing for  the  fury  of  the  oppressor,  they  should 
contend  manfully  in  His  strength,  and  still 
acknowledge,  as  they  retrace  past  conflicts 
and  victories,  "  Hitherto  has  the  Lord 
helped  me." 

Jfational  perpetuations  of  signal  events 
are  in  our  days  devoted  chiefly  to  very  sub- 
ordinate ends.  As  in  many  other  respects, 
the  glory  of  man  is  in  this  matter  a  more 
prevaihng  summons  to  us,  than  the  glory  of 
God.  If  England  once  had  a  Clueen,  who 
shewed  commendable  piety  in  acknowledg- 
ing the  hand  of  the  Omnipotent,  by  com- 
manding a  medal  to  be  struck  after  the  dis- 
comfiture of  the  Spanish  Armada,  bearing 
that  sublime  inscription,  "Thou  didst  blow 
with  thy  winds  and  they  were  scattered," 
the  present  day  of  practical  infidelity  would 
too  probably  laugh  to  scorn  any  similar  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  superintending  Deity. 
But  in  the  solitude  of  that  happy  Bethel, 
where  the  Christian  has  found  himself  as  at 
ithe  gate  of  heaven,  where  he  has  studied 


193 

the  sweet  mystery  of  Divine  love,  till  his 
heart  melted  in  entire  subjection  to  that 
God,  of  whose  least  mercies  he  felt  his  un- 
worthiness, — where  he  has  meditated  in 
faith  on  the  wisdom  and  mercy  of  the  incar- 
nation, till  he  saw  how  it  "  opened  heaven," 
and  formed  a  ladder  of  communication  be- 
tween its  holy  courts  and  the  polluted 
dwellinor-place  of  man ;  there  are  yet  I  trust 
many  who  are  setting  up  a  pillar  of  remem- 
brance, which  in  future  hours  of  depression 
and  disquietude,  will  remind  them  how  they 
have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious,  and 
revive  their  trust  in  his  everlasting  mercy. 
"  When  deep  calleth  unto  deep,"  and  escape 
seems  so  difficult  that  nature  says,  "  des- 
pair," some  association  is  made  to  recall  the 
"  months  that  are  past,"  when  the  "  secret 
of  God"  was  "upon  our  tabernacle,"  and 
"  his  candle"  shined  upon  our  heads, — we 
remember  our  God  concerning  such  and 
such  particular  seasons  as  the  JPsalmist  did 
concerning  the  land  of  Hermon,  and  the 
hill  of  Mizar,  and  at  length  are  generally 
enabled  to  say  with  him,  "  Why  art  thou 
cast  down,  oh  my  soul,  and  why  art  thou 
disquieted  within  me  ?  I  will  yet  trust  in 
Him,  who  is  the  help  of  my  countenance 
and  my  God." 

H 


194 

It  is  obvious  that  the  same  principle  may 
be  carried  through  all  the  varieties  of  life. 
Anniversaries  of  our  several  changes,  joyful 
or  sorrowful,  will  suggest  trains  of  improv- 
ing thought.  A  season  of  new  and  exciting 
emotions,  if  duly  employed,  will  be  fruitful 
in  thoughts  which  will  recur  to  the  mind 
very  powerfully  and  beneficially  in  after  life. 
Let  us  neglect  none  of  these  helps  on  our 
way  to  the  celestial  city.  Let  us  treasure 
them  up  for  those  that  shall  be  young  when 
■we  are  old,  so  that  when  asked  by  thetn, 
"  What  mean  ye  by  these  reminiscences," 
a  reply  which  shall  tend  at  once  to  their 
improvement,  and  the  glory  of  our  great 
Preserver,  may  be  given,  and  we  may  re- 
late to  them,  on  such  and  such  occasions, 
"  the  Lord  did  wonderously," — we  sought 
him  and  he  was  found  of  us,  "  Go  ye  and 
do  likewise." 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Lord  engrave  upon  my  memory  and 
affections,  an  imperishable  record  of  thy 
manifold  and  unceasing  merciestowards  me, 
through  the  several  periods  of  my  life. 
May  I  frequently  retrace  in  ray  mind  the 
way  by  which  thou  hast  led  me  hitherto,  to 


195 

adore  thy  goodness  and  faithfulness,  and  to 
bewail  my  own  ingratitude.  Alay  every 
past  fall  serve  as  a  beacon  to  my  future 
steps,  and  instruct  me  in  the  humbling 
knowledge  of  my  own  defects.  Thy  coun- 
sels of  old  are  faithfulness  and  truth.  Thou 
forsakest  not  them  that  fear  thee.  I  put 
my  trust  in  thee,  therefore,  oh  God,  to  open 
for  me  a  safe  pathway  into  the  land  of  thy 
heavenly  promises,  that  with  all  thy  re- 
deemed I  rnay  praise  thy  name  for  ever.— 
Amen. 


"  Set  thee  up  way-marks."— JerewwA  xxxi.  21. 

In  thy  solitary  place 

Of  communings  divine, 
Christian  !   did  thy  Saviour's  face, 

•Upon  thy  spirit  shine  ? 
Mark  the  spot. — Forget  it  not, 

Set  thee  up  a  way-mark  there. 

Though  calamity  drew  nigh, 

Hath  God  in  pity  spared, 
Very  gracious  at  thy  cry, 

Through  his  Lamb  prepared  ? 
Note  the  place,  of  special  grace. 

Set  thee  up  a  way-mark  there. 


196 

"When  as  overwhelming  flood 

The  enemy  came  in, 
Did  the  standard,  bathed  in  blood, 

For  thee  the  battle  win  ? 
Of  that  field,  preserve  the  shield, 

Set  thee  up  a  way-mark  there. 

Did  thy  course  perplexing  seem, 

Thy  mental  organs  blind, 
Till  suddenly,  a  sacred  beam 

Refreshed  thy  doubting  mind  ? 
Fold  the  leaf,  that  soothed  thy  grief, 

Set  thee  up  a  way-mark  there. 

Hath  thy  sympathizing  heart 

Bewailed  another's  fall, 
And  seen  exemplified  in  part 

The  sin  which  cleaves  to  all  ? 
Deeply  think,  "  How  near  that  brink!" 

Set.thee  up  a  way-mark  there. 


When  returning  seasons  wake 

Remembrance  of  the  past, 
And  bid  thee  for  the  future  take 

The  warning  light  they  cast, 
Hear  the  speech,  which  sounds  from  each. 

Set  thee  up  a  way-mark  there. 


197 

But  especially  doth  God 
By  sickness  with  thee  plead, 

To  "  hear"  his  own  appointed  rod, 
And  give  his  precepts  heed  ? 

Let  thy  couch,  amendment  vouch, 
Set  thee  up  a  way- mark  there 

Thus  the  pilgrim  fathers  went 

Tow'rds  city  not  in  view, 
Erecting  for  each  new  event, 

Jehovah's  tribute  new : 
Hark  •  they  raise,  their  song  of  praise, 

See  they  set  their  way-mark  there. 

So  Christian !  when  thy  master  sends, 
That  thou  thy  crown  receive. 

What  blest  memorial  for  thy  friends 
Thy  calm  farewell  may  leave  ! 

yield  thy  breath,  rejoice  in  death ! 
'Christ  has  set  his  way-mark  there. 


198 


MEDITATION  XXVII. 

"  Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgivins:,  and  into 
his  courts  with  praise  :  be  thankful  unto  him,  and 
bless  his  name," — Psalm  c.  4. 


When  we  enter  the  courts  of  the  Lord  to 
offer  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving,  and  the 
honour  due  unto  his  name,  in  the  genuine 
spirit  of  humble,  obedient  gratitude,  how 
surely  do  we  find  it  a  joyful  and  pleasant 
thing  to  be  thankful ;  and  what  new  dis- 
coveries of  heavenly  mercy  are  graciously 
made  to  those  waiting  spirits  who  studiously 
endeavour  to  fulfil  all  outward  righteous- 
ness, that  they  may  magnify  the  Lord's 
goodness  to  them,  and  who,  because  they 
rejoice  in  God  their  Saviour,  say  ever  in 
sincerity,  "Behold  the  servant  of  the  Lord. 
Be  it  unto  me  according  to  thy  word." 

The  mother  of  Jesus  was  thus  piously 
anxious  to  perform  all  things  according  to 
the  law  of  Moses,  and  when  the  Most  High 
had  graciously  fulfilled  what  his  Holy  Spirit 
spake  to  her  by  the  mouth  of  her  cousin 
Elizabeth,  and  had  given  her  a  performance 
of  those  things  which  the  commissioned 
angel  predicted,  she  entered  therefore  the 


199 

temple  of  her  God  with  the  offering  suited 
to  her  humble  circumstances,  and  a  heart 
no  doubt  deeply  impressed  with  the  miracu- 
lous sublimity  of  her  infant's  birth  and 
destiny,  and  prepared  to  render  homage  to 
Him,  who  yet  lay  cradled  on  her  maternal 
bosom,  as  one  to  whom  the  Lord  God  had 
promised  the  throne  of  his  father  David. 

Obscure,  though  a  daughter  of  kings, — 
poor,  though  highly  favoured  by  the  author 
of  all  real  wealth, — an  unknown  stranger, 
though  aware  that  "  all  generations  should 
call  her  blessed,"  little  could  Mary  have 
expected  that  the  fulfilment  of  her  vows 
would  be  attended  with  such  remarkable 
strengthening  of  her  faith  and  hope,  as  was 
afforded  by  the  welcome  of  holy  Simeon, 
and  the  superadded  testimony  of  Phanuel's 
pious  widow.  Well  may  it  be  said,  Joseph 
and  his  mother  marvelled  at  the  things 
which  were  spoken  concerning  him  ;  for 
though  previous  events  must  have  entitled 
them  to  expect  great  things  from  his  matured 
years,  yet  it  is  probable  that  they,  like 
others  of  their  people  at  that  period,  re- 
garded the  kingdom  promised  to  the  Mes- 
siah, as  national,  temporal,  and  immediate, 
and  had  insufficient  notions  of  the  universal 
benefits  mankind  were  to  derive  from  the 


200 

wonderful,  yet  lowly  child  before  them. 
When,  therefore,  the  inspired  Simeon  em- 
braced his  Lord,  as  the  salvation  prepared 
before  the  face  of  all  people,  "  The  light  to 
lighten  the  gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  his 
people  Israel," — when  he  yet  spoke  plainly 
of  his  ill  reception  on  earth,  "  as  a  sign 
that  should  be  spoken  against,"  and  pre- 
dicted the  sword  that  should  pierce  through 
his  mother's  soul  while  beholding  his  suffer- 
ings, it  is  easy  to  conceive  what  new  and 
almost  overpov;ering  views  of  extended 
consequences,  in  time  and  eternity,  would 
expand  before  the  mind  of  the  humble  and 
believing  Mary.  Much  and  deeply  ponder- 
ing them  in  her  heart,  what  profound  awe 
and  enlarged  gratitude  would  be  the  results, 
— many  a  rapturous  meditation  on  the  glory 
that  should  be  revealed, — and  many  a 
prayer  for  fortitude  to  endure  the  foretold 
teinporary  agony  of  spirit,  would  take  their 
rise  in  that  visit  to  the  sanctuary,  which  had 
for  its  primary  object  a  conformity  to  ex- 
ternal and  typical  ordinances. 

And  have  believers  of  our  own  time  no 
inference  nor  instruction  to  draw  from  all 
this  history? 

Professor  of  Christianity,  few  and  simple 
are  the  outward  signs  and  ceremonies  which 


201 

are  binding  upon  thee,  see  that  the  Saviour 
be  near  thy  heart  when  attending  them, 
and  they  will  not  be  profitless.  The  serv- 
ants of  the  Lord  may  not  indeed  pour 
forth  for  thine  edification  any  prophetic 
hints  concerning  thy  future  path  through 
life  ;  neither  may  the  Lord  communicate 
by  them  any  new  truths  concerning  his  be- 
loved Son,  as  He  did  by  those  venerable 
saints  at  Jerusalem  ;  but  if  they  speak  to 
thee  of  Jesus,  as  the  dehght  of  their  hearts 
and  the  desire  of  their  eyes,  as  the  chiefest 
among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely; 
if  they  descant  on  his  perfections,  and  de- 
clare to  thee  his  offices  ;  if  they  prick  thee 
to  the  heart  while  pointing  out  Him  whom 
thy  sins  and  the  sins  of  thy  brethren  have 
nailed  to  the  accursed  tree,  yet  shew  thee 
that  there  is  salvation  in  no  other,  and  that 
through  him  life  and  immortality  are  brought 
to  light,  rest  assured  that  they  give  thee 
information  far  more  precious  than  the  gold 
of  Ophir, — even  that  wisdom  which,  re- 
ceived and  acted  upon,  may  enable  thee  at 
the  last  to  '*  depart  in  peace,"  according  to 
the  word  of  thy  Lord.  Oh  think  not  that 
it  is  enough  to  hear,  to  know,  to  worship. 
Mary  "kept"  the  things  told  her  in  the 
temple,  and  "  pondered  them  in  her  heart." 


202 

In  the  secrecy  of  the  closet  must  be  digested 
the  energetic  declarations  of  the  pubUc  as- 
sembly, if  we  wish  them  to  prove  effectual 
comforters  under  the  endurance  of  persecu- 
tion, or  the  anguish  of  tortured  affection. 
She  who  was  greeted  by  an  angel  as 
"  highly  favoured,"  no  doubt  endured  much 
when  Herod  drove  her  from  her  humble 
home,  and  greatly  more  when  Pilate  gave 
to  the  cross  its  unblemished  victim ;  but 
faith  had  treasured  up  the  words  which 
were  spoken  of  Him  by  the  holy  prophets, 
and  patience  had  her  perfect  work.  What 
but  the  thought  that  all  these  things  were 
appointed  for  bringing  many  sons  to  glory, 
the  assured  hope  that  Jesus  should  rise 
from  the  dead  triumphant  and  immortal, 
supported  her,  (like  Abraham  looking  to 
receive  back  his  Isaac,)  as  she  stood  by  the 
cross,  that  appalling  scene  for  a  mother? 
"What  but  the  view  of  the  same  cross,  and 
the  bles'sed  certainty  of  that  resurrection, 
can  support  us  in  the  hour  of  death,  or  even 
under  the  bereavements  of  this  varying 
world  ? 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Lord,  bestow  upon  me  the  wiUing 
mind  and  the  grateful  heart,  which  alone 


203 

can  render  outward  sacrifices  acceptable  in 
thy  sight.  Accept,  I  pray  thee,  my  ser- 
vices, not  according  to  their  intrinsic  value, 
but  as  oflfered  in  dutiful  love,  and  through 
that  availing  Intercessor,  whose  gracious 
undertaking  for  man  was  so  variously  sha- 
dowed forth  to  thine  ancient  people.  May 
thy  Holy  Spirit  take  of  the  things  of  Christ 
and  shew  them  unto  me,  and  make  me 
greatly  delight  to  ponder  them  to  my  soul's 
good ;  and  when  the  days  of  my  sojourning 
here,  oh  Lord,  are  accomplished,  may  my 
purification  from  sin  be  declared  by  presen- 
tation before  thee  in  thy  everlasting  temple, 
faultless,  and  with  exceeding  joy,  through 
the  merits  of  thy  dear  and  only  begotten 
Son,  Jesus  Christ,  our  Saviour. — Amen. 


"  And  when  the  days  of  her  purification,  according 
to  the  law  of  Moses,  were  accomplished,  they  brought 
him  to  Jerusalem,  to  present  him  to  the  Lord." 

iSt.  Luke  ii.  22. 


Pictures  and  shadows  filled  the  law 
From  Sinai's  mountain  taught, 

Moses  •'  far  off""  the  substance  saw, 
And  by  that  pattern  wrought. 


204 

All  shewed  the  dread  desert  of  sin, 

And  sin's  polluting  taint, 
Tlie  means  that  should  remission  win, 

The  culprit  and  the  saint; 

Each  new  extension  of  the  stain. 
That  clings  to  Adam's  race, 

Demanded  thus  a  victim  slain  : 
Propitiating  grace  ; 

But  victim,  altar,  offering  priest. 
Were  emblems  all  of  One, 

At  once  the  Giver  and  the  Feast, 
The  everlasting  Son ! 

Ah  lowly  Mary,  wherefore  bring, 

Those  purifying  doves. 
When  in  thine  arms,  for  offering. 

Was  Him  the  Father  loves  ? 

No  spot  nor  blemish  had  the  child, 
Thy  bosom  fondly  pressed, 

Then  why,  (as  if  that  birth  defiled,) 
This  expiative  test  ? 

Thus  it  became  Him  !  he  was  given 

To  do  the  Father's  will ; 
Each  type,  each  ordinance,  of  heav'n 

His  coming  must  fulfil. 


205 

The  antitype  through  every  rite 
Must  show  his  richer  worth  ; 

The  lamb,  the  dove,  must  be  in  sight, 
With  him  they  shadowed  forth. 

Whom   Mary   brought,   whom    Simeon 
Whom  Anna  joyed  to  see,       [blessed, 

In  him  to  trust,  in  Him  to  rest, 
Is  purity  for  me. 

And  if  my  feet  again  may  stand 
Where  saints  in  praise  unite, 

A  grateful  heart,  though  empty  hand, 
Vouchsafe  me  in  thy  sight. 


MEDITATION  XXVIII. 


"  In  thine  hand  it  is  to  make  great,  and  to  give 
strength  unto  a.ll."—lst  Chronicles  xxix.  12. 


To  depreciate  the  importance  of  common 
cares  and  domestic  duties  is  no  part  of  Bible 
instructions,  and  that  surely  is  a  very  mis- 
taken view  of  its  tendency,  which  would 


206 

inculcate,  as  the  highest  attainment  of  piety, 
a  separation  from  these,  or  such  an  entire 
absorption  of  the  soul  in  continued  contem- 
plations of  a  sacred  nature,  as  to  withdraw 
it  from  giving  due  and  earnest  attention  to 
their  performance.  The  Scriptures  invari- 
ably deal  with  men  as  social  beings  ;  in  fact, 
they  greatly  suspend  on  their  behaviour  as 
such,  the  external  evidence  of  their  subjec- 
tion to  the  gospel  of  truth.  Thus,  women 
"  professing  godhness,"  are  no  where  en- 
joined to  discard  from  the  catalogue  of  their 
avocations  the  humbler  employments  of  their 
sex  or  station  ;  on  the  contrary,  the  due  dis- 
charge of  these  is  ever  ascribed  to  them  as 
an  honour,*  while  the  opposite  neglect  is 
marked  with  more  than  one  Apostolic  cen- 
sure.f  However,  therefore,  the  monoton- 
ous uniformity  of  feminine  occupations  may 
render  it  irksome  to  minds  richly  stored 
with  heavenly  wisdom,  to  pursue  them 
steadily  for  their  own  sake,  yet  they  become 
invested  with  powerful  attractions  when  it 
is  perceived  that  they  are  capable  of  devout 
consecration  to  the  Master  whose  we  are, 
and  whom  we  serve.  The  "  wise-hearted  " 
women  who  contributed  their  industry  to 

♦  Prov.  xxxi.  27.  1 1  Tim.  i.  10. 


207 

the  embellishment  of  the  typical  sanctuary, 
may  be  easily  conceived  to  have  wrought 
without  one  murmur  at  their  own  insignifi- 
cance in  the  councils  of  the  elders  or  the 
gatherings  of  the  tribes,  and  when  spinning 
the  curtains  of  goats'  hair  in  obedience  to 
the  Lord's  directions  for  the  right  ordering 
of  the  tabernacle,  to  have  been  as  efficiently 
grounded  in  the  faith,  as  when  with  Miriam 
for  their  leader  they  went  forth  with  tim- 
brels and  with  dances,  openly  rejoicing  in 
the  delivering  potency  of  the  Lord  who  had 
triumphed  gloriously. 

And  if  subordinate  offices  in  the  Christian 
church  be  assigned  to  us,  shall  we  therefore 
complain  or  be  weary  ?  When  indeed  we 
view  things  steadily  in  this  gospel  light,  all 
the  distinctions  and  varieties  of  our  present 
state  greatly  diminish  in  relative  importance. 
We, see  that  to  let  our  light  shine  before 
men  so  as  to  glorify  our  Father  in  heaven 
must  be  our  undeviating  object,  but  whether 
that  light  be  elevated  on  the  smoothly  hewn 
summit  of  a  pyramid,  or  surmount  an  erec- 
tion of  the  roughest,  coarsest  kind,  is  of  little 
consequence.  An  eminent  Christian  has 
recorded  his  opinion,  that  could  we  imagine 
two  holy  angels  sent  down  to  earth  for  a 
season,  and  placed  the  one  on  a  throne,  the 


20S 

other  as  a  scavenger,  the  scale  of  happiness 
or  of  alacrity  in  discharging  duty  would  not 
be  turned  in  favour  of  the  former.  Both 
would  be  so  engrossed  by  the  desire  to  glo- 
rify God  and  do  his  will,  that  the  condition 
or  the  employment,  wherein  each  was  to 
pursue  that  vast  end,  would  be  estimated  as 
nothing.  It  is  in  the  Lord's  hand  to  make 
us  great  in  this  sublime  manner ;  not  by  ex- 
alting our  station  or  withdrawing  us  from 
its  duties,  but  by  making  our  hearts  so 
entirely  his  own  as  to  obliterate  all  feelings 
of  bitterness  under  the  mortifications  to 
which  we  may  be  exposed,  and  to  render  us 
careful  for  nothing  except  to  walk  worthy 
of  the  vocation  wherewith  we  are  called. 

But  do  we  recoil  from  so  avviul  a  con- 
sideration as  those  now  suggested  ?  Do  we 
say  each  one  within  ourselves,  if  life  be 
thus  a  continual  votive  offering,  and  its  com- 
monest occurrences  are  to  be  rendered  holy 
by  the  spirit  in  which  they  are  encountered, 
it  is  indeed,  I  perceive,  relieved  of  its  ap- 
parent frivolity :  it  is  manifested  as  an  in- 
finitely valuable  possession ;  but  at  the 
same  time  what  a  burden  does  this  throw 
upon  my  conscience;  what  deep  culpability 
attaches  to  the  misuse  of  its  precious  frag- 
ments, and  how  largely  have  I  misused 
them. 


209 

Not  to  feel  thus,  would  argue  a  strange 
and  fatal  dulness  of  heart  in  any  child  of 
man,  and  well  may  we  bewail  ourselves  in 
this  respect,  saying,  "  My  leanness,  my 
leanness.  Wo  unto  rne !"  Yet  though  to 
discover  sucli  cause  for  mourning  be  sad, 
we  may  be  assured  it  is  safe.  To  be  heavy 
laden  with  infirmity  is  common  to  all;  to 
feel  and  lament  that  they  are  so,  and  so 
lamenting  and  feeling  to  cast  their  burden 
on  the  Lord  is  the  distinction  of  those  who 
are  accepted  in  his  love. 

It  is  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord  to  make  us 
great,  and  he  giveth  strength  to  all.  There 
is  no  class  of  petitioners  too  lowly  to  engage 
his  kind  attention,  and  his  promise  is,  that 
"  as  our  days  are,  so  shall  our  strength  be.'* 
The  more  conscientiously  we  become  alive 
to  the  extended  demands  upon  our  entire 
energy,  and  the  insufiiciency  of  our  past 
dedication  of  time  and  talent  to  the  Lord, 
the  more  shall  we  prize  such  merciful 
declarations  of  his  readiness  to  supply  all 
our  need.  Were  He  extreme  to  mark  what 
is  done  amiss,  who  should  stand  in  his 
sight !  but  He  who  lived  as  well  as  died  for 
us,  had  the  power  to  present  a  pure  offering 
and-  unadulterated  incense.  "  Bless  the 
Lord,  oh  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his 
15 


210 

benefits,"  that  his  glorious  strength  is 
pledged  to  support  his  people's  weakness. 
Vain  is  the  help  of  man,  but  if  the  Lord 
give  quietness,  who  then  shall  make  trouble? 
Only  forget  not  that  it  is  strength  to  act, 
not  liberty  to  be  idle,  that  the  Lord  prom- 
ises. It  is  peace  in  seeking  fellowship  with 
Him,  the  zealous  worker,  not  quiescent, 
inactive  reliance  on  his  finished  work.  It 
is  pardon  under  deficiencies  resisted,  not 
indulgence  in  a  contented  indolence  of  spirit. 
Go  daily,  my  soul,  to  the  Fountain  of  Sal- 
vation, and  renew  within  view  of  Calvary, 
that  zeal  which  has  its  birth  from  humility 
and  gratitude.  If  such  be  already  our 
blessed  experience,  none  need  make  us 
afraid.  Happy  are  the  people  that  are  in 
such  a  case.  Yea,  blessed  are  the  people 
who  have  the  Lord  for  their  God. 

PRAYER. 

Oh  God  !  who  workest  all  things  accord- 
ing to  the  counsel  of  thy  own  will,  even 
when  employing  the  agency  of  man  to 
accomplish  thy  wise  designs,  teach  me  to 
rest  so  fully  on  thy  goodness  and  truth,  as 
never  to  repine  at  any  peculiarities  in  thine 
appointments  on  my  behalf.    The  lot  is 


211 

fallen  unto  me  in  a  fair  ground,  yea,  I  have 
a  goodly  heritage  ;  if  whatever  other  and 
lesser  advantages  may  seem  withheld,  lean 
truly  say,  Thou  art  my  portion  and  my 
Almighty  Friend.  Oh  Lord !  I  entreat 
thee  to  accept,  as  offered  on  the  golden  altar 
of  thy  Son's  atonement,  and  perfumed  with 
the  incense  of  his  continual  priesthood,  the 
dedication  to  thyself  of  all  I  have  and  I  all 
am.  Sanctify,  "by  thine  indwelling  Spirit, 
the  fountain  of  my  thoughts,  words,  and 
actions,  so  that  their  current  be  henceforth 
pure,  deviating  less  and  less  from  that  safe 
and  happy  course  enjoined  in  thy  holy 
Word.  Look  upon  the  face  of  thine 
Anointed,  and  for  his  sake,  love  me  freely, 
blotting  out  my  many  sins,  pardoning  all 
my  deficiencies,  and  filling  me  with  the 
fruits  of  righteousness.  Now  to  thy  glori- 
ous name.  Eternal  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  be  praise,  honour,  and  reverence, 
for  ages  everlasting. — Amen. 


212 

"  Whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God." 
1st  Corinthians  x.  31. 

Oh !  how  it  dignifies  this  scene, 
Of  still  recurring  petty  things, 

Exalts  our  life,  and  o'er  the  mean 
The  broidered  robe  of  beauty  flings. 

Oh !  how  it  reconciles  the  soul 

To  tedious,  homely,  humbling,  tasks, 

When  as  our  days  appointed  roll. 

Their  due  improvement  conscience  asks. 

*Tis  this  which  forms  the  jewell'd  chain 
By  which  immortals  measure  time, 

Not  by  its  seconds,  but  the  gain 
Of  fitness  for  celestial  chme. 

To  look  on  life  as  Glory's  porch, 

And  as  the  toilsome  steps  we  mount, 

Lifting  aloft  Faith's  brightening  torch, 
Our  cares  minute  as  lessons  count ; — 

'Tis  this'which  makes  the  meanest  shine 

In  heavenly  estimation  great, 
The  coarsest  duties  can  refine, 

And  sooth  the  most  ungenial  state. 

Nor  only  this :  but,  if  ordained 

By  presience  wise,  this  world's  career. 

What  high  results  may  be  enchained 
Upon  each  small  domestic  sphere. 


213 

Could  Levi's  daughter  e'er  have  thought, 

As  patiently  her  fingers  phed, 
To  weave  tliat  ark,  which  dearly  fraught, 

She  placed  upon  the  river's  side. 

Could  she  have  thought  its  slender  frame 
Involved  the  fate  of  nations  vast, 

Or  that  its  helpless  inmate's  name 
Should  soon  eclipse  all  heroes  past ! 

Yet  Faith  and  strong  Affection  fed 

The  hope  that  nerved  her  trembling  hand  ; 

How  should  her  "  saved  one"  else  have  led 
His  people  from  their  bondage  land  ? 

And  shall  the  Christian  mother  shrink 
From  tasks  comparatively  hght. 

Or  mean,  or  unimportant  think, 
With  such  example  in  her  sight  ? 

No  !  rather  let  her  act  her  part 
With  cheerful,  conscientious  care, 

Support,  oh  Lord  !  her  fainting  heart, 
Give  strength  and  wisdom  at  her  prayer. 

Nor  let  her  view  with  tearful  eyes, 
Her  path  of  duty  winding  doiorij 

Lest  detailed  cares  and  worldly  ties, 
Her  nobler  contemplations  drown. 


214 

Sufficient  is  the  clue  of  grace, 

To  clear  the  most  entangling  road, 

To  aid  her  hesitating  pace, 
To  lighten  her  detaining  load. 

"  As  is  thy  day,  thy  strength  shall  be," 
Thy  fears  but  make  thee  closer  hold, 

"  What  e'er  thou  dost,  do  all  to  me," 
This  turns  the  meanest  thing  to  gold. 


MEDITATION  XXIX. 


"  And  it  came  to  pass,  as  her  soul  was  in  departing, 
(for  she  died,)  that  she  called  his  name  Ben-oni, 
[the  son  of  my  sorrow,]  but  his  father  called  him. 
Benjamin,"  [the  eon  of  iny  right  hand.] 

Ge7iesis  xxxv.  18. 

The  vanity  of  human  wishes,  and  the  igno- 
rance of  those  who  impatiently  murmur 
when  the  gratification  of  them  is  withheld, 
were  never  perhaps  more  forcibly  illustrated 
than  in  the  history  of  Rachel.  The  mo- 
ment when  her  long  cherished  hope  received 
its  accomplishment,  was  the  same  which 
deprived  her  of  all  enjoyment  from  its  com- 
pletion:   "Give  me  children,   or  I  die!" 


215 

A  second  son  is  granted  ;  his  mother  Hves 
to  embrace  him  ;  but  it  is  as  the  son  of  her 
sorrow,  not  of  her  joy,  "  Her  soul  is  in  de- 
parting !"  Better  surely  were  the  sickness 
of  a  hope  deferred,  than  the  fulness  of  desire 
vouchsafed,  and  frustrated  thus  in  its  very 
fulfilment. 

And  is  it  not  still  thus  with  short-sighted 
man  ?  "Walketh  he  not  still  in  a  vain 
shadow,  disquieting  himself  to  little  profit  ? 
Alas  !  how  large  a  portion  of  human  exist- 
ence is  spent  like  that  of  Jacob's  beloved 
wife,  in  painful  longings  for  supposed  good  ; 
in  virtually  exclaiming, — Give  me  this,  give 
me  that,  or  I  die  !  And  when  the  darling 
aim,  the  long-sought  object  of  many  years' 
endeavours,  is  at  last  within  grasp,  we  seize 
it,  and  the  stroke  of  the  torpedo  is  in  its 
touch !  The  attractive  brightness  which 
occupied  our  thoughts,  which  roused  our 
exertions,  was  but  the  glittering  hue  of  the 
envenomed  serpent,  or  it  existed  only  in  our 
own  deceived  imagination  ;  it  is  gone,  and 
for  ever.  The  hour  of  possession  is  the 
hour  of  illumination,  and  the  "  son  of  our 
sorrow"  is  the  truest  title  we  can  give  to 
the  fruition  of  all  our  earthly  toils. 

There  is  something  exquisitely  pathetic 
and  affecting,  as  well  as  instructive  in  the 
last  words  of  Rachel ;  considered  as  the  fond 


216 

yearnings  of  maternal  affection  over  an  in- 
fant seen  but  for  a  moment,  they  need  no 
comment,  they  do  indeed  speak  to  the 
mother's  heart.  "  Let  him  be  called  Ben- 
onV^  As  if  she  had  said,  With  agony  and 
with  death  have  I  borne  him.  Son  of  my 
sorrow,  let  these  be  recorded  in  thy  name. 
Let  me  depart  in  the  sweet  hope  that  thou 
wilt  love  my  memory,  that  the  endearing 
appellation  which  I  now  give  thee,  shall 
hereafter  awaken  in  thy  soul  affections 
towards  her  whom  thou  hast  never  seen  ; 
affections  which  I  may  not  live  to  enjoy, 
but  the  very  thought  of  which  is  consola- 
tion ;  or,  to  paraphrase  her  feelings  in  the 
beautiful  language  of  a  modern  poet, 

"  And  now  when  summoned  from  the  world 

and  thee, 
I  lay  my  head  beneath  the  willow  tree, 
Wilt  thou,  sweet  mourner,  at  my  stone 

appea'r. 
And  soothe  my  parted  spirit  lingering  near? 
Oh  wilt  thou  come  at  evening  hour  to  shed 
The  tears  of  memory  o'er  my  narrow  bed. 
With  aching  temples  on  thy  hand  reclined, 
Muse  on  the  last  farewell  I  leave  behind  ; 
Breathe  a  deep  sigh,  to  winds  that  murmur 

low, 
And  think  on  all  ray  love,  and  all  my  woe  ?" 


217 

But  the  warmest  affections  of  earth  cannot 
detain  when  the  voice  of  the  Unseen  has 
spoken.  "  Her  soul  was  departing,  and 
she  died."  And  does  the  thought  arise, 
soon,  soon,  shall  the  like  consummation  be 
written  of  those  who  now  meditate  on  her 
latter  end  ?.  I  too  must  one  day  be  gathered 
to  my  fathers !  I  too  perhaps  may  be  sum- 
moned to  leave  behind  me  this  cherished 
one,  so  feeble,  yet  so  dear,  which  now  lies 
beside  me  unconscious  of  my  love,  unin- 
terested in  my  fears  ?  Shalt  its  infant  lips 
never  lisp  in  my  delighted  ear  the  name  of 
mother,  shall  its  infant  heart  never  respond 
to  my  unutterable  tenderness?  Oh  might 
I  .but  live  to  see  its  youthful  mind  expand, 
to  watch  the  slender  tendrils,  as  they  suc- 
cessively unfold,  and  myself  to  entwine  them 
around  the  pillars  of  Jehovah's  temple, 
around  all  that  is  holiest,  purest,  best ; 
what  cause  should  I  not  have  for  thankful- 
ness! how  calmly  should  my  spirit  part 
from  this  earth,  were  my  memorial  thus 
erected,  where  alone  it  is  valuable,  in  the 
inmost  soul  of  those  I  love  most  tenderly. 
But  to  die,— to  die  like  Rachel,  and  to 
leave  the  beloved  of  my  soul  on  this  cold 
world,  orphanned,  at  least  in  part  j  helpless, 


218 

untaught,  forsaken !  oh  grief  immeasurable, 
how  can  I  bear  the  thought ! 

This  is  the  language  of  nature,  but  is  it 
nature  in  subjection  to  the  faith;  or  nature 
rebelhous,  unbelieving,  graceless?  Is  the 
Lord's  arm  shortened  that  He  needs  our  aid 
to  fulfil  our  prayers  and  his  own  purposes? 
or  is  his  ear  become  heavy  that  He  will  not 
hear  the  redeemed  of  his  Son,  committing 
to  his  tenderness,  the  children  from  whom 
He  may  see  fit  to  withdraw  them?  Even 
to  the  chastised  Edomites  He  condescended 
to  say,  "  Leave  thy  fatherless  children,  and 
I  will  preserve  them  alive."  And  shall  less 
be  done  for  those  who  are  washed,  and  jus- 
tified, and  sanctified,  by  the  atonement  and 
the  Spirit  of  his  Son  !  Forbid  the  thought, 
every  feeling  within  us  that  is  Christian. 

But  even  when  convinced  that  the  Divine 
protection  is  all-sufficient,  even  when  ac- 
quiescing.resignedly  in  whatever  God  wills, 
may  not  a  tear  of  fondness  rise  unbidden  to 
the  eye  ?  As  she  contemplates  a  separation, 
possibly  an  early  one,  from  the  objects  of 
her  love,  may  not  the  Christian  mother  weep 
even  when  she  smiles  as  she  anticipates 
how  to  be  with  Christ  is  far  better  ?  That 
she  may,  that  she  must,  none  can  deny,  and 
who  shall  venture  to  condemn  ?  Yet  though 


219 

such  tears  may  for  a  while  dim  the  eyes  of 
the  saints  to  the  glories  beyond  the  grave, 
they  are  among  those  which  shall  be  wiped 
from  them,  so  soon  as  they  enter  the  gales 
of  the  heavenly  Jerusalem.  When  Rachel 
passed  the  boundaries  of  sense,  she  might 
possibly  be  made  aware  that  the  son  of  her 
sorrow  would  be  the  son  of  his  father's 
right  hand,  the  Benjamin  of  his  old  age,  the 
apple  of  his  eye,  watched  over  as  one,  whose 
loss  would  bring  down  his  grey  hairs  with 
sorrow  to  the  grave, — that  he  would  be  the 
partial  object  of  a  Joseph's  love,  a  Judah's 
self-devoting  generosity ;  but  whether  these 
facts  were  made  known  to  her  or  not,  such 
they  were,  and  in  the  great  day  of  recogni- 
tion, many  such  will  be  disclosed,  many 
an  anxiously  departing  parent  will  behold 
how  the  seeming  bereavement  may  be  made 
the-  means  of  multiplied  blessings, — how 
compassion  and  solicitous  tenderness  may 
be  excited  with  redoubled  force  in  surviving 
relatives,  where  one  more  near  than  all,  was 
prematurely  removed, — and  in  innumerable 
ways  how  all  may  be  made  to  work  tor 
good  where  the  original  aspect  of  events 
was  most  discouraging.  Many  a  child  like 
Jabez,*  named  in  sorrow,  and  quitted,  like- 
*  1  Chron.  iv.  9,  10. 


220 

Benjamin,  with  regret,  may  like  them  be 
distinguished  in  blessing,  and  kept  from 
evil  that  it  should  not  grieve  them  ;  through 
the  large  requests  of  faith,  and  the  gracious 
answers  of  the  God  of  Israel,  they  may  be 
enlarged  in  their  coast  of  usefulness,  and 
rendered  more  honourable  than  their 
brethren.  "  Why  then  art  thou  cast  down, 
oh  my  soul,  and  why  art  thou  disquieted 
within  me  ?"  "  Be  still,  and  know  that 
the  Lord  is  God  ;"  anticipate  not  with  dis- 
may, events  which  He  can  afford  thee  am- 
ple power  to  endure  ;  and  to  endure  with  a 
composure  which  now,  perhaps,  thou  canst 
scarcely  conceive.  Trust  in  Him  at  all 
times  ;  commit  thy  way  unto  him,  and  He 
will  give  thee  the  desire  of  thine  heart. 

PRAYER. 

Oh  Lord,  our  righteousness  !  the  place 
of  defence  of  them  that  fear  thee  is  as  the 
munition  of  rocks,  why  should  any  thing 
prevail  to  depress  or  make  us  afraid,  when 
we  know  that  thou  seest  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting;  that  not  a  sparrow  falls  to  the 
ground  without  thy  special  permission,  and 
that  very  precious  in  thy  sight  is  the  death 
of  thy  saints.    Oh  give  me  a  cheerful  de- 


221 

pendence  on  thy  mercies  and  promises,  and 
•while  I  use  the  means  thou  hast  commanded 
towards  appointed  ends,  let  me  ever  trust, 
not  in  them,  but  in  thee,  remembering  that 
thou  art  all-sufficient,  and  that  the  agency 
of  man  would  be  totally  superfluous  hadst 
thou  not  ordained,  for  an  exercise  of  his 
obedience,  that  he  should  execute  thy 
righteous  purposes.  Do  unto  thy  servant 
as  seemeth  good  in  thy  sight,  and  when  my 
soul  shall  depart  from  my  body,  may  an 
abundant  entrance  be  given  it,  where  every 
trace  of  earthly  sorrow  shall  be  effaced,  in 
the  kingdom  and  glory  of  thy' Son,  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour. — Amen. 


"  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil." 

Psalm  Kxiii.  4. 

Visions  of  a  mournful  future, 

Wherefore  thus  unbidden  throng, 

Boding  tones  of  bitter  sorrow, 
Mingling  with  my  grateful  song. 

Overhanging  rocks  and  mountains, 

Shade  the  valley  of  the  tomb ; 
But  a  brighter  sun  than  nature's, 

Shall  it  not  disperse  the  gloom  ? 


S22 

Is  there  not  a  gracious  Shepherdj 
Burdened  souls  to  meet  and  claim, 

Is  there  not  a  hand  Almighty, 

Pledged  to  bear  them  through  the  flame  ? 

Wherefore  then  his  love  dishonour, 
Faithless  sink,  or  doubting  sigh, 

When  imagining  the  moment, 

That  shall  tell  thee,  "  thou  must  die  ?'* 

On  thy  Father's  tried  compassion 
Rest  thee,  stay  thee, — thou  art  safe, 

Though  the  tempest  rage  around  thee, 
Though  the  torrent  roar  and  chafe. 

j^5ot  by  human  rule  or  measure 

Spreads  the  everlasting  plan, 
Shall  an  insect  grasp  the  Andes, 

Shall  a  worm  the  ocean  span  ? 

What  to  Rachel  seemed  denial, 

But  prolong'd  probation  kind. 
Had  her  hope  been  earher  granted, 

Earlier  had  her  Joseph  pined ! 

Though  she  left  a  "  son  of  sorrow,'* 
Son  of  strength  he  soon  arose ; 

Loved  of  God,*  and  dwelling  by  him, 
Covered  from  relentless  foes  j 

*  Deut.  xxxii.  12. 


223 

So  thy  child,  dejected  mother, 

If  by  faith  on  Jesus  cast, 
(None  may  pluck  Him  from  the  Saviour,) 

Thou  shall  see  with  Him  at  last. 

Whether  life  or  death  be  written, 
Shrink  not,  tremble,  nor  complain, 

Let  the  cross  be  all  thy  portion, 

"  Life  is  Christ,  and  Death  is  gain?" 


FINIS. 


^i 


